tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233830732024-03-13T14:09:46.768-05:00Skeins Her WayOne crafty mom knits, quilts, crochets, sews, designs, and tries to find time to cook...Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-69340981718219195572010-03-27T22:02:00.002-05:002010-03-27T22:04:26.259-05:00FYI, I've MovedIf you're seeing this at <a href="http://skeinsherway.blogspot.com/">http://skeinsherway.blogspot.com/</a> then you're missing out. Just kidding, there isn't much happening, but what little there is happening is happening back at <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/">www.skeinsherway.com</a> ...<br /><br />Hope to see you there!<br /><br />Happy knitting-<br />aliAlisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-53274095645291020762010-03-19T21:35:00.001-05:002010-03-19T21:35:31.165-05:00Testing, AgainTesting, 1, 2, 3...Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-15270027402379841502010-03-16T19:01:00.004-05:002010-03-16T19:28:59.362-05:00TestingOk, it seems the blog has been out of commission for a while... there have been issues involving computer geek mumbo jumbo and techie talk about things like ftp servers and the like...<br /><br />Blogger is pulling the ftp publishing plug and it's proving to make my life a wee bit difficult...<br /><br />You may have noticed being redirected to a blogpost address- this should be temporary, I really, really, hope...Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-36059555503554429802010-03-15T18:16:00.000-05:002010-03-15T18:17:54.757-05:00Good Time for a Break<div align="justify">It seems that our web server had some sort of brain freeze. (insert computer geek ftp mumbo-jumbo) Mr. Extraordinary has been running on nearly empty for weeks with too much work and too little sleep, so it may take another day or two (or ten) until we get it all figured out.</div><div align="justify"><br />The children and I have been busy as well, it must be that <em><strong>spring is in the air</strong></em> phenomenon. As soon as we can get the server issues ironed out, I'll be back to share some pics of our recent adventures and then get on with new ones...</div><div align="justify"><br />Have an excellent rest of your week!</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-88485144576709661632010-02-21T23:08:00.005-06:002010-02-25T00:01:17.564-06:00Winter Whites<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/6_IMG_8944-739275.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/6_IMG_8944-738535.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4371627073_b3a0998d67.jpg"></a>A favorite recent pic... </div><br /><div align="justify">I have to admit, the past few weeks I may have enjoyed playing with yarn and my camera a wee bit more than I've enjoyed playing with yarn and my needles. There was just something about the simple beauty of the soft white yarn on the soft white snow. I'm usually one to favor bright and intense colors, lots of them, especially if stripes are involved, but the clean and crisp, it captivated me.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">What has captivated you recently? I hope there is something. I always seem to be energized by being captivated by something new, something special, something wonderful, filling me with wonder... There must be something...</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Whatever it is, I hope it makes you smile inside and out!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-47779265493220469362010-02-19T09:55:00.003-06:002010-02-19T20:49:39.959-06:00Does She Still Knit?<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8954-708577.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8954-707574.jpg" /></a> <div><div><div><br /><div align="justify">I do, I do, though the past several weeks I haven't knit as much as my usual. I've been reading a lot (ironically enough, I've been reading about writing), and a lot of reading takes up a lot of time. My reading and my knitting usually come in spurts of obsessive one-or-the-other-ness. All knitting, all the time, or all reading, all the time. A few days of one and then a few days of the other.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8951-706393.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Reading has always been an easy thing for me to hop back into, but knitting is not always like that. Knitting momentum, for me, is a mysterious thing at times. I can knit obsessively, picking up steam on a project, get distracted (sometimes with another project, often times with one of my sweetly distracting children), and then, for some inexplicable reason, not want to pick that project back up. I'll put it off for hours, days, sometimes a week or more<em>, sometimes so much more</em>... Crazy odd, I know, especially for a yarn enthusiast and knitting designer.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8953-746030.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">The rest of the truth is that I've been putting more of my brainpower into my Mothering, and that's a good thing. I've been blogging thoughts and Mothering process shots over at <a href="http://www.anordinarymom.com/">anordinarymom.com</a>. I never meant to neglect this place, but it's that momentum thing. It's like my <strong>momentum pendulum</strong> has swung another direction for a while. I have so many ideas and projects going that I'm sure my knitting and designing will gain momentum as we swing into a new season- one that includes sunshine and warmth. Which reminds me, I need to go take my vitamin D.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8952-744966.jpg" /> <div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">We have the rest of February and the entire month of March yet to experience in The Frozen Tundra*, so my lingering scarf should still get some wear yet this season. Those of you who have already packed your scarves away, or <em>gasp!</em>, never donned a scarf this past season (because you would've been way too hot <em>in your garden...</em>), well, I guess I shouldn't complain about your flower pics, after all, I can't imagine the angst of a knitting or crocheting yarn enthusiast who misses out on a good cold winter in which to wear so many hand knit hats, mittens, scarves, & sweaters. Oh, and socks, I imagine my Florida friends might sweat a little in hand-knit wool socks... I'm not a fan of sweating. I am a fan of sweaters and even sweater socks, but not sweating, so the Frozen Tundra living does work out for me.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">*Minnesota, or Minne<em>snow</em>ta, or the Land of 10,000 Frozen Lakes</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I've mentioned the scarf, the scarf that defies explanation (more on that soon), and I am also working on a sweet little spring cardigan for my youngest daughter- still needs buttons. I had grand intentions of knitting all 4 of them matching cardigans, but that just isn't going to happen this season. That's ok, I've got family that continues to hit the Old Navy clearance racks and they always have something that one of my children <em>really should</em> <em>have</em> that week :-) It's like having a small army of personal shoppers, which is cool because I dislike shopping, except for the occasional trips to the <a href="http://www.hannaandersson.com/">Hanna Andersson</a> Outlet for some unbelievable $5 finds. Yes, <em>most</em> of the Hanna's you've seen on my girls in photos over the years were $5 dresses. I love their outlet sales. Enough said.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Ok, time to sew some buttons <em>on three sweaters!</em> and mend a few dangling buttons before they become lost buttons...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div></div></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-19233032780370554962010-02-11T13:42:00.003-06:002010-02-11T14:47:58.740-06:00Process Shots<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8361-791489.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8361-790757.jpg" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div align="center">Some teasing, a spring sweater for my youngest daughter.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8360-758639.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center">I just need to weave in a some ends...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8356-758496.jpg" /></div><div align="center">...and pick up the sleeves for a few finishing rows. </div><div align="center">Oh, and buttons, can't forget buttons.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">With any luck (and a whole lot of effort on my part, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">haha</span>! It's not like I'm drowning in spare time around here...) I may finish it tonight, and perhaps even get a few modeled shots tomorrow while we're out and about. That would be good, nay, better than good, that would be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">grrreat</span>!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So, you see, I have still been knitting.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I have also been distracted, as always. A couple distraction pics...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8334-788877.jpg" /></div><div align="center">life with asthma</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_8330-788779.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p align="center">my sister and her new baby boy!</p><p align="justify">Ah, life is busy and life is full, and a girl's gotta put down the needles now and then and get to living it, in all of its busy-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ness</span> and fullness! With that being said, it's time for me to get back to it!</p><p align="justify">Happy knitting-<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ali</span></p>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-29671242987442509312010-01-22T12:40:00.000-06:002010-01-22T12:50:01.975-06:00Take 2<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/2_IMG_7509-743973.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/2_IMG_7509-743965.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">I headed outside of my cave-like home for some natural light. I'm much more satisfied with this shot, hoping to capture another nice one today. This could prove to be an interesting project, less than a month into it and I'm having to really think about the shots so they don't all end up looking the same. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I went ahead and started <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/a-year-in-yarn/">a flickr group</a>, just because I could. (grin) Hop on over and join up, if you'd like to play along, so we can all see each other's creativity in yarnography. Do not, I repeat, do NOT, feel pressured to <em>have</em> to take, edit, and post a pic <em>everyday</em>. Close enough is close enough. Skip a few days? Take a few pics the next time, it's still keeping with the <em>general</em> idea, no strait-jackets here.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The <em>ONLY</em> rule is to HAVE FUN with it!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I'm hoping to get caught up, or at least close to it, (trying not to pressure my own perfectionist self) with my editing and uploading this weekend. That, and finishing the scarf that has me baffled. It's not really the scarf, it's the mistake I made, I still can't figure out how I did it. (I will explain later, after I've conquered, or at least compensated.) I am what you could call completely confused, but I am also determined to knit on. It's one of those mistakes that no one would notice, <em>if I didn't show & tell them...</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em> </div><div align="justify">Back with more soon,</div><div align="justify">happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-89037682123166518082010-01-15T23:33:00.005-06:002010-01-16T00:38:10.410-06:00A Year in Yarn, 2010 - Day 1<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/1_IMG_7397-759755.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/1_IMG_7397-759750.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">I had an idea, and I'm late to edit and post my pics. At least, I'm late if the idea was to start on January 1st, which it was, but, oh well, here goes...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The idea was/is to chronicle A Year in Yarn. A pic a day, of yarn, Easy-peasy. Think Project 365 meets yarn. It will be interesting to see how my eye for yarn develops over the year.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I've seen some pretty nice yarnography around the web. Much of it inspires me, good photos do that, inspire. I'm having so much fun getting to know my camera more and more each day and am so very excited to see what this new year of learning how to take good pictures will bring.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Every now and then I steal a moment or two to edit some pics and save in a special folder. I'd love to print up some mosaics every few weeks and add them to my knitting journal throughout the months ahead. Pictures are worth so much more when printed out to be shared and enjoyed</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Years from now, if I ever get the chance to knit with my children's children, it would be so sweet to have pictures of this time in my life, this time when I am drawn to yarn and all of its possibilities.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Care to play along?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-37092302006591590002010-01-01T11:44:00.004-06:002010-01-01T14:03:18.810-06:00Another Day, Another Year, Another Sock<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_7096-705545.jpg" /><br /><div><div><div align="justify">Ah, so much to knit, so little time... I know, we're only 1 day into the new year, a lot of time lies ahead of us, but personally, it wouldn't matter how many years lie ahead, I've got a lot going on, and I always feel the familiar "There aren't enough hours in a day" lament in a very real way.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">There might be enough hours if there weren't so many things I wanted to do each day, one of the prices to be paid for being such a well-rounded person, I guess.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">That being said, there out to be enough hours to finish this little unfinished baby sock. Ok, this <em>big</em> baby sock, for the very big chubby foot of my growing little guy. He may be 14 months old and an accomplished walker, but he's still my baby, with big feet.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_7094-705778.jpg" /> <div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The first pair I whipped up a couple weekends ago looked big enough on the needles. They even looked big enough laying there all finished and just waiting for Baby J to wake up from his nap. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">And then I tried to get them on his feet. They were a might bit constricting, um yeah, bummer. Oh, well, my baby sister is due with a baby boy in February...</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_7093-730007.jpg" /></div></div><br /><p>What did you knit first this year? Do tell...!</p><p>Happy New Knitting Year!</p><p>ali</p>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-91375221380062814912009-12-31T14:16:00.002-06:002009-12-31T14:19:06.916-06:00Wanna Be the First?See that followers widget? Time to connect with Google Friend Connect!<br />Pretty please? With sugar on top? :-)<br /><br />Happy knitting-<br />aliAlisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-37275708544548038742009-12-27T13:14:00.004-06:002009-12-29T09:56:37.882-06:00A Little Breather<div align="justify">It's been a sad holiday week here. After some spotting, and then some more bleeding, it was confirmed yesterday that I am in the process of miscarrying. Taking some time to recover, will be back with more knitting and blogging after the New Year.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-64366420719075445972009-12-12T08:56:00.007-06:002009-12-12T11:04:46.559-06:00Let it Snow!If you haven't made <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake">these</a>-<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6704-709456.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">then what are you waiting for? They're easy fun, seriously, they're not nearly as complicated as they look, and there's essentially no mess, unlike the confetti-fest you have to vacuum up after when making traditional paper snowflakes. Trust me, if you're making more than one snowflake, that difference is a big difference.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6705-709391.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">If you can't get through this season without cutting tiny bits and pieces for a traditional snowflake, <a href="http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/">try this virtual snowflake maker</a>- you'll love it.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6708-786126.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Enjoy your weekend!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6727-786039.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-83688345088031398342009-12-09T18:48:00.005-06:002009-12-09T19:02:13.154-06:00The Long Awaited Pulmonologist Follow-Up<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6654-777523.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6654-777517.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Ok, been a bit busy and a tad drained, ready to jump back in with both feet- back into a whole lotta life and a bit of blogging to boot.</div><div align="justify"><br />I just have to start off by saying that, although Mn/DOT was reporting some 600 accidents in the Frozen Tundra alone, we were not among them. I paced part of my morning away, secretly hoping our violin teacher would call to let us know he wouldn't be heading to his northern lesson location due to some very bad roads. He didn't call, he's bound and determined, and kind of like the post office when it comes to weather events. Not wanting to be the wimp that I know I truly am, I managed to get the troops bundled, packed into the van, and a few towns over on time even. Impressive, I know. The roads weren't as bad up here as the reports of a few miles south, but they were bad enough in town to feel the anti-lock braking system show us what it's made of. We made it there, we made it back, and I'll be hunkering down drinking hot cider for a while, thank you very much.</div><div align="justify"><br />Asthma & Pulmonologist Appointment Update:<br />The girls are doing peachy! Grace (just turned 7) did better than well on her PFT (pulmonary function test), pushing more air and faster than an average 7 yr old of her height and weight, which means that her asthma is under control. After she took "a puff" of albuterol (a bronchodilator) her numbers remained essentially unchanged. If she had shown significant improvement, that would've meant her asthma wasn't under control when she walked in the door, follow?</div><div align="justify"><br />This was excellent for more reasons than one. It was and is excellent because our darling needs to breathe, and breathe well, but more than that, it is excellent because they didn't have a need to pressure us into putting her (and her sister) on more maintenance meds day in and day out for the chance that she might have a flare-up every couple months. I was not comfortable with the level of daily medicating their initial doctor had wanted to see, combine that with the very uncomfortable feeling that I got as she asked about our homeschooling, sized up my children and said "I guess they're doing okay, they seem happy."</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I wish there was a way I could convey the tone in her voice, and the looking down her turned up nose way in which she watched my 4 girls play in her office. It was weird, and I decided I was done seeing her, and by proxy, the girls were done seeing her too. Not all people are going to agree, I know that. Not all people are fond of homeschooling and/or our right to do such a thing, I get that. To each their own, but we don't have to keep seeing someone who so obviously disagrees with a very important lifestyle choice of ours, when there are so many other doctors in their practice who seem so very homeschool friendly, or who at the very least are not so condescending. Sheesh, enough complaining.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6652-758739.jpg" /><br />We saw one of the docs that we met <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2009/10/another-asthmarsvpneumonia-update.html">when the girls were in the PICU</a> at St. Paul Children's a couple months back (time flies when you're having fun, eh?). He was fabulous with the girls and he handled things so well when 4 yr old Hope tried to melt into the corner. She had been terrified ever since I mentioned last Friday that we had an appointment with the doctors down by Children's on Monday... she immediately started crying, and when Hope starts crying, it takes her a while to regain some sort of composure. She had the weekend to recoup, and then it started all over again the minute Dr. P pulled out a stethoscope and started listening to Grace's breathing. It took some convincing, but she eventually consented and got a good report herself. We don't need to go back until spring allergy season, at which time she'll be 5 and able to try her first PFT.<br /><br />It was cold on Monday, but not single digit cold (I think it was in the low 20s). I'm glad we got our appointment in before this winter storm moved in. I most definitely would not have enjoyed the trip down today, and I most certainly would not have walked several city blocks with 3 young girls (I brought just turned 3 yr old Mercy with as well, to make it easier on the babysitter) to stop at a St. Paul landmark pizzeria for some afternoon food and fun and almost 1 on 1 time with my children.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_6647-758663.jpg" /><br />3 to 1 is better than 7 to 1. It just is, and it's cheaper, at least it would've been if I would've stuck to buying pizza. Cosetta's may have some of the best pizza in town, some of the biggest slices around, and even serve some great <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/baklava/">baklava</a>, but unless you've got plenty to spend, I'd suggest getting some ice waters to wash it all down. Let's just say that I'm glad I only ordered 2 chocolate milks for the girls to share, and a can of Coke for myself, a can, nothing special. After getting our food and managing to get the girls up the many stairs to the upper level seating, and after managing to find a table, get settled in (coats off), and remind the girls not to touch the little oil candle that was lit right there on our table, my math mind kicked into gear and I started to wonder how our total had ended up $8 more than the price of our pizza, with 3 little drinks. I pulled out the receipt for a closer inspection, and was slightly shocked to see $5.70 for the 2 chocolate milks, and $1.55 for my can of Coke. Seriously?! I just paid $1.55 for a can of Coke?! Whatever, eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we starve, or something like that. I wasn't exactly thrilled about the $2.85 a piece for the chocolate milks either, but that's what I get for ordering without reading the fine print. Oh, well, special occasion, right? </p><p>It was special, the girls loved it- the restaurant, the walk in the big city, the people watching, and the Bing Crosby singing his ever so loverly and mellow White Christmas piped in nice and loud, causing Gracie to sigh a big silly sigh and exclaim "this must be a place where people go to get in love." and then start smooching the air around her. Good times.</p><p>Our girls can eat, but they were no match for those slices of pizza. Hope came the closest to finishing, but in the end there were 3 partial pieces for leftovers. Who doesn't like leftover pizza?! If for some reason you don't like leftover pizza, first- shame on you! second- I'll have yours, there, problem solved. Ok, maybe I'll arm-wrestle my teenager for it.</p><p>So, to make a long story short, the girls are doing great, Cosetta's is a Twin Cities must, and so is knowing the drink prices before you order...</p><p>I just watched the temp on my little digital weather station thingie go from 7.9 to 7.7 and back to 7.9, I'm guessing there was a cold gust of wind? At any rate, it's below 8 degrees outside and not scheduled to get any warmer for a while. I'm thankful for the 68 degrees in my house, for the wood burning furnace that keeps us cozy, for the husband who installed it, and for the teenage son who keeps the fire going these days!</p><p>Big pots of soup, hot cider and cocoa, and warm cozy sweaters abound in the Ordinary home- how are you staying warm this week?</p><p>Happy knitting-<br />ali</p><p>ps- now it says 4.3, brr!</p><p>pps- to make some wee little girl <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2009/11/girls-love-girly-mitts.html">Girly Mitts</a>, CO 24 sts, work one less Cable Repeat (4 rows) and work 13 sts before starting thumb gusset (rather than the 15) they're cute, and fit my just turned 3 yr old, will update pdf as time allows (that's so much more reasonable than saying as soon as possible)</p></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-44160961679830157502009-11-25T19:45:00.000-06:002009-11-25T19:49:51.083-06:00Girls Love Girly Mitts<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6194a-779961.jpg" /> <div align="justify">Design work is still work, and being such, has moved to one of the many back burners I always keep lit, but turned down to simmer. Summers are busy by their very nature, throw in a couple asthma flare-ups requiring hospital stays and they turn into crazy week after weeks that roll into months of trying to get back into a routine, followed by a late summer and fall full of soccer, field trips, and working to get into a <em>new</em> routine, a <em>homeschooling</em> routine, and, well, I find myself having to dust off the pattern writing part of my brain.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6137-728724.jpg" /> <div><div><div><div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I've been writing simple hat, mitten, and fingerless glove patterns whenever I can sneak a few moments <em>and</em> rally the brainpower to engage in the designing and pattern-writing process. Those two things do not line up together all the time, as evidenced by the sheer number of projects that may be destined to remain one-of-a-kinds, in every sense of those words. (The designing and knitting got done, the pattern writing, um, not so much...) The moments and the intentional designing have merged on occasion and I did actually manage to write out a few patterns. There are still better photos to be taken- what I wouldn't do for a nice fat production budget... but this branching out on one's own has to be done with what one has: a decent DSLR, a bit of photography knowledge, a bit of photoshop know-how, friends who know so much more, and models. I have cute models (at least I think so), as long as I'm designing for young people. When I finish the sweater that's mostly in my brain, I may have to turn to my non-union, modeling friend- it's all about connections, I tell ya...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6172-702161.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">My 1st (free!) pattern for this season is for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/girly-mitts">Girly Mitts</a> you see here. My girls love when cables look like braids, and I love what my girls look like in braids, so what we have here is a win-win situational knit. Quick and easy to knit up in less than 1 skein of <a href="http://www.spudandchloe.com/yarns/sweater/">Spud & Chloe Sweater</a>, these mitts are <em>washable</em>, which comes in handy, you know, if you aren't planning on felting yours and then using them on your porcelain doll collection.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6151-701710.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I'm planning on making another pair <em>ASAP</em>, with one mod- making them into full finger coverage mittens, which I know most of you knitters could do on auto-knit while reading this blog, but for those that like a bit more direction, I'll add those specifics to the pdf <em>as soon as I can get to it...</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6142-746575.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Then, there are 2 hat patterns and a mitten pattern just about ready to put in a shop. Yep, patterns for sale, pretty excited about that around here. Husband was asking if I'd made my 1st million yet so he can quit his day job. I told him it doesn't actually work that way, but that I'd see what I could do about that... you know, <em>as soon as I can get to it...</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em> </div><div align="justify"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6145-746100.jpg" /></em></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Yeah, so while I work out how to become rich and famous, you could pass the time knitting a few pairs of Girly Girl Mitts for some girls in your life, and then if <em>you</em> want to become famous (I don't think I can help you in the rich department) send me a pic of your finished mitts and I'll add them to some snazzy photo mosaics with links back (if you've got a blog!) in an upcoming post. We'll humor each other by throwing that word famous around, k?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I can't wait to see some of your Girly Mitts! Bring on the yarn!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div></div></div></div></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-82031218032372662732009-11-25T11:00:00.000-06:002009-11-25T11:20:44.089-06:00Girly Mitts Coming Very Soon<div>Just a teaser-</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/GirlyMittsIMG_6194a-786853.jpg" /> <div></div><div>I'm getting the pdf laid out now. Just a few minor details to tweak, and I hope to have it up and ready for downloading before I hit the sack tonight!</div><div></div><br /><div>Happy knitting-</div><div>ali</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-33342352623791181052009-11-18T15:18:00.003-06:002009-11-18T16:49:00.911-06:00Reach for the Stars!!<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/readingIMG_6076-709793.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/readingIMG_6076-709782.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><strong>Sonrise Scholars Reading Marathon</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>November 2009</strong></div><div></div><br /><div align="justify">Our marathon program benefits the reader (we have 3 solid readers and an emerging reader or two or three), the reader's family, and the Sonrise Scholars Co-operative that our family is so excited about being a part of this year. Students participate by reading as much as possible (yay!) and finding sponsors to support their efforts through pledges.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Benefit program as follows:</div><ul><li><div align="justify">60% of the pledges provide new <a href="http://www.usborne.com/default.asp">Usborne Books</a> to the participating student (Yay!)</div></li><li><div align="justify">20% of the pledges provide tuition funds for the participating student's family (every bit helps!)</div></li><li><div align="justify">20% of the pledges provide cash to the Sonrise Scholars Co-op (for expenses like the awards they give the children at field day, etc...)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Participants reading 1,000 minutes or more will receive special recognition and a medal (My oldest 3 are definitely shooting for at least 1,000 minutes, my Teenager actually thinks he'll top 2,000 and I believe him.)</div></li></ul><p align="justify">They have two weeks. 1,000 minutes in 14 days means 71.43 minutes a day, which should be easy for my eager readers, especially if they keep up with the pace they started out with last night, which was their Day 1. November 30th is their last reading day, everything gets turned in Tuesday, December 1st.</p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">***If I understood what I just wrote correctly, that means we are within 2 weeks of December. Take a moment to collect yourselves, then continue reading***</span></em></p><p align="justify">Would you consider sponsoring one (or more) of our readers? I'd love to drum up some online knitting world support for them! Let us know here in the comments, being sure to include your email address so I can contact you with a Paypal invoice. Any amount will help and encourage our readers, I'm sure!</p><p align="justify">Our oldest 3 are off to a good start, here are Day 1 totals (they only had a while in the evening to read after we got home from a busy day)-</p><ul><li><div align="justify">The Teenager, Ian - 90 minutes </div></li><li><div align="justify">10 yr old, Jaron - 60 minutes</div></li><li><div align="justify">8 yr old, Liberty - 30 minutes</div></li></ul><p align="justify">Our 6 yr old is finally getting over her reading hump, with some letter sound blending finally 'clicking' the past couple weeks. I'm so very excited about that and can't wait to see her reading take off as she discovers more words she can decode!</p><p align="justify">Day 2 totals are looking good for our oldest 3, that 1,000 minutes looks well within reach!</p><p align="justify">I'll try to post their daily totals and accumulative totals as we countdown our 14 days of Reading- keep checking back and cheering them on!</p><p align="justify">Thanks, in advance, for all of your encouragement and support!</p><p align="justify">Happy knitting-</p><p align="justify">ali</p>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-56564274428944091072009-11-18T07:00:00.000-06:002009-11-18T08:10:14.777-06:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/aom_IMG_1098-775805.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/aom_IMG_1098-775799.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-85738114935130823612009-11-15T13:00:00.001-06:002009-11-17T10:21:53.382-06:00itty-bitty fun<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5940-777418.jpg" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify">Another busy week for us- 4-H on Tuesday, violin lessons on Wednesday, <a href="http://www.anordinarymom.com/2009/11/night-at-orchestra.html">an evening at the orchestra</a> (what a fun treat!) on Thursday, a homeschool field trip to our favorite historical farm on Friday, and in true no-rest-for-the-weary fashion, a Mommy afternoon at <a href="http://www.shepherdschoice.com/">a yarn shop</a>, meeting <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/">Susan B. Anderson</a>, on Saturday. Whew! Kinda tired just typing that (could be from staying up a bit late last night, but we'll all pretend I didn't just admit that).</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5905-793888.jpg" /> <div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">My Dear Husband was home <em>all day</em> on Saturday. Not only was he home, but he was perfectly willing to oversee the entire brood for some hours in the afternoon so I could have some of that elusive 'me time'. For the record, I would've dragged all of my children to the yarn shop if he wasn't going to be home, well, okay, my two oldest boys could have stayed home and twiddled their thumbs for a couple hours... I was truly thankful that he was home, not only so I could have some Mommy time, but so he could have some Daddy time (notice how that works out opposite- my Mommy time is getting out <em>sans</em> children, his Daddy time is being home <em>avec</em> children...), and because my youngest little guy is just getting over a bit of croup, and he's a wee bit clingy and cranky, and may not have been the sweetest little companion around- unlike <a href="http://www.freshmaked.blogspot.com/">my sister</a>'s wee one, who was the perfect sweet pea!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5952-777498.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.shepherdschoice.com/">Shepherd's Choice</a> is so much more than a yarn shop, and I count myself blessed to consider it's owner, Kathy, a friend. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5921-717258.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">She makes the most wonderful natural soaps and moisturizing lotions- I just cannot say enough good things about them. Seriously. I told several perfect strangers about how Kathy's <a href="http://www.shepherdschoice.com/?cat=5">lanolin rich moisturizer</a> <em>cured</em> my daughters severe eczema and psoriasis- she had what appeared to be both at the time, it was awful, cracked, bleeding, weepy, scaley, itchy, burning, no fun at all for a 2 yr old! We had a doctor prescribe an ointment (after we had tried every 'good' and 'natural' lotion on the market, Eucerin, Neutogena, Aveeno, you name it, we tried it, all to no avail- and they would sting, poor baby), an ointment we never used. After reading the insert, and learning that this ointment had been shown to cause benign <em>and malignant</em> growths, I refused to even try. <em>Were they serious?! </em>They actually wanted me to rub this stuff on my 2 yr old's precious baby soft skin, okay, baby soft except for where the eczema and psoriasis was taking it's toll... Anyhoo, I stopped by the shop one day, and brought in my 2 yr old for Kathy to see. She <em>gave me</em> a tub of her <a href="http://www.shepherdschoice.com/?cat=5">unscented lanolin rich moisturizer</a> to try, and folks, I'm not even kidding, in a week there was marked improvement, in 2 weeks, she was almost clear, by the 3rd week we were just using a touch here and there for some dryness that threatened to get sore but never got the chance. I was amazed, and <em>thankful, </em>and have bought more of that wonder stuff since.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5896-793977.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">If you have skin problems, please give it a try, and give it time to work. Kathy is a wonderfully prompt shipper. While you're at it, order a bar of her <a href="http://www.shepherdschoice.com/?cat=1">cinnamon with lanolin soap</a>, because, I mean, <em>cinnamon soap!!</em> I could almost eat it. Who doesn't love the smell of cinnamon? Especially this time of year?! Makes wonderful gifts as well!! Knit a washcloth, give with some of this luscious soap, seriously, the recipient will thank you.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Back to the main point of this post- meeting Susan was like meeting up with an old friend. After reading her blog for some years, tweeting back and forth for some months, listening to her podcasts and hearing her interviewed on others, even her voice was familiar. Just in case you're wondering, yes, she really is every bit as sweet as she seems. It was so fun to finally meet her.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5908-717186.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.freshmaked.blogspot.com/">My sister came</a>, with munchkin in tow, and then my Mom stopped by too, so we had to get a couple shots of our designing family with Susan. There is another sister, <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2009/10/apple-oatmeal-bars.html">my Little sister</a>, but she's too cool to knit, or way too busy with her amazing job and her adorable Little guy. She's an amazing person, but she's the odd one out when it comes to the knitting and designing (and the sewing!) in this family. She's young, there's still time...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5958-796485.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">There were a few other local blogging knitters to be spotted, and it was funny how we kinda went by our blog names- "Hey, there's <a href="http://knitsinclass.blogspot.com/">Knits In Class</a>", (hi Kate!), "Oh, hi! Nice to meet you, I'm Skeins Her Way", "There's <a href="http://twistyourstitches.blogspot.com/">Twist Your Stitches</a>", "<a href="http://www.theblondeknitter.blogspot.com/">The Blonde Knitter</a>", and one of "<a href="http://theraineysisters.com/">The Rainey Sisters</a>"!! Fun times. Yeah, <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/">Susan</a> may have been onto something when she named her blog after herself, you know, so people actually know her name...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 341px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5935-742425.jpg" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/shepherdschoiceIMG_5939-742509.jpg" /> <div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The sun came out for some moments and I ran over to the window to soak up some rays, cause I'm desperate like that, and then it got warm in the shop. I peeled off my Drops Jacket, 'cause, have you worn Blue Sky Alpacas' Worsted? So warm and cozy. I pulled out my water bottle, which I promptly left on the table so if there's a stainless steel water bottle doing crazy things with the flash in any of your pictures, sorry about that! Winters in the Frozen Tundra (I know it's not frozen yet, but Minnesota is always the Frozen Tundra in my mind) are so dry, my water bottle becomes my best friend, specially when the room suddenly gets warm, and I'm not even in my menopause years...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">After mulling around for most if the afternoon, and after stocking up on more yummy soaps, some for me, some for gifts, I headed out to a local cafe with <a href="http://www.theblondeknitter.blogspot.com/">The Blonde Knitter</a>. <a href="http://twincities.metromix.com/restaurants/sandwiches/avant-garden-anoka/447452/content">Avant Garden</a> is a very cozy spot in the old historic downtown Anoka, serving the most wonderful paninis- we split a Roma- tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta cheese, and I don't know what else, but let's just say it's taking some significant self-control to not hop back in the van to grab another for lunch today. Oh, and in a rare non-latte drink order for me, I went with a hot caramel apple cider, and I have no regrets, yummo! </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">All in all, a fabulous Saturday, and would you believe, I didn't even knit a stitch?</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Happy knitting to the rest of you (I'm sure I'll knit a stitch or two today)-</div><div align="justify">ali</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-77097989488314946842009-11-04T06:30:00.000-06:002009-11-04T06:30:01.339-06:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/MercyCloseup2IMG_2900-743949.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/MercyCloseup2IMG_2900-743943.jpg" /></a> Happy knitting-<br />ali<br /><div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-33340591637811785412009-11-02T06:30:00.002-06:002009-11-02T07:57:53.702-06:00A Little Taste of Fall<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5051-770205.jpg" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify">Yes! Soccer season is officially over, except for the awards ceremony, but the driving around, the daily interruption at the most inconvenient time of the afternoon, the waiting in the hot sun, or the cold wind, or in the van... yeah, that's all done. Yay! We made it!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The Teenager had his final tournament this past Friday and Saturday. They didn't do so hot, but they played their hearts out and had a lot of fun in the process. Now it's time for some longer school days here at Springvale Academy (I named our homeschool, we even have a fight song!) and I suppose we'll have to think up some indoor physical activities soon, as the inevitable frigid temps will be moving in to the <em>Frozen Tundra*</em> any time now. Since we haven't robbed from Peter to pay Paul for a Wii and a Wii Fit yet, though I really do think they need to be in our future, maybe we'll pull out some old Pilates or Tae-bo DVDs. We'll call that gym. It works. I remember playing table tennis and shuffle board in gym, maybe we can find a nice foosball table... Hmmm, we have friends with an air hockey table. I digress...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">*Minnesota, or MinneSNOWta, or Land of 10,000 Lakes and many more mosquitoes, take your pick.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5068-730709.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">After our premature blast of arctic air, things have been <em>warmer</em>, though not actually warm. 50 degrees is, after all, warmer than 37 or whatever unbelievably unseasonal number called itself the high that weekend... We've been kind of stuck in a 50 and drizzly cycle, yuck, it's cold, wet (poor farmers haven't been able to get their crops out), and downright depressing, making days like yesterday seem like an island vacation.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5253-778337.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The sun made an appearance, and we headed outside! I wouldn't mind a few more afternoons like that before we hunker down to await the great thaw...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5182-752463.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5233-701838.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">Fall in the Frozen Tundra (even though it's not frozen yet) means time for hats and scarves and mittens, oh my! And warm cozy sweaters, can't forget the sweaters. I've waited several months to don a cozy sweater. I've even worn a couple prematurely, only to peel it off in haste as I started to overheat. I have the narrowest of temperature comfort zones, 68 and I'm cold, 72 and I start to break a sweat, and I'm not even kidding. Is there a climate where it's 70 degrees year round, with plenty of happy light (<em>that would be sun</em>)?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5267-730650.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">I've been wearing my Drops Jacket anytime a cool breeze even thinks about blowing by, and yet, I have not taken a single picture of it (on my person), my bad, I know. I've been wearing it so much that I had to go out and buy a sweater shaver, something that has always been on the 'you know, I could really use a...' list, so I can clean it up a little bit. I love, love, love, knitting with, and wearing, alpaca, and I think <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/">Blue Sky Alpacas</a>' <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=6">Worsted Hand Dyes</a> is like knitting with butter (that's a good thing, I like butter) but it can pill a bit, especially when knit at the loose gauge used on this sweater, and when it gets <em>a lot</em> of wear, enough that I finally got me a sweater shaver.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5269-789002.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">My <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=23383073&postID=3334059163781178541">Vine Lace Top Down Cardigan</a> is finished, except for blocking and buttons. Dunno when I'll find the time for hunting down decent buttons (this is why people have a button stash, isn't it?), but now that soccer season is done I will have some free afternoons...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/skeinsIMG_5275-789326.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">Not too many this week, though, as there needs to be some serious cleaning done before allowing anyone to step foot in my house on Saturday, when we have our Annual Soup Party. I've never kept a Martha Stewart magazine cover home, and it won't be picture perfect on soup day either, but it sure better be a sight better than it is today, ehem. Enough said. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">If you've never been to a soup party, you're missing out. If you've never hosted one, you should, hehe, you might even decide to make it an annual thing. Here's how it works, everyone brings soup to share, preferably in a crock pot, as there are only so many burners on the stove top, and maybe something else to share (crackers, cheese, veggies & dip, beverages, cookies, bars, beautiful cupcakes, anything goes, just bring food!) and spend the afternoon or evening (or both, we usually make ours a sort of open house and people come and go and the crowd fluctuates from noon to midnight) enjoying good company and loads of good food. It's a great time to either share your favorite soup recipe, or to experiment and try out something new, that is, if you're brave, and a good cook...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I still haven't decided which soup I'll be making this year, it's so much more fun to wait until the day before. I always did love a good challenge, especially if I could get extra credit for it. Extra credit rocks, or at least it rocked back when I could get it. These days I just challenge myself with my procrastinating so I have a good excuse to drink more coffee...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">While I think about soups, I'll leave you with my other sister's recipe for her fabulously easy pumpkin bars. I'm pretty sure she got the recipe from my mom, who always seems to have a pan at the ready, those or rice crispy bars, <em>it's for the children... (I know this, because they usually get sent home with us!)</em></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Pumpkin Bars</strong></div><div align="justify">2 coups flour</div><div align="justify">2 tsp. baking powder</div><div align="justify">1/4 tsp. salt</div><div align="justify">2 tsp. cinnamon</div><div align="justify">1 tsp. baking soda</div><div align="justify">1/2 tsp. ginger</div><div align="justify">1/2 tsp. nutmeg</div><div align="justify">1/4 tsp. cloves</div><div align="justify">4 eggs</div><div align="justify">2 cups pumpkin</div><div align="justify">2 cups sugar</div><div align="justify">1 cup oil (<em>your choice of oils, use your favorite, I haven't tried the applesauce trick with these yet, though I may give that a try...</em>)</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Frosting:</div><div align="justify">1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese (softened)</div><div align="justify">3/4 stick butter (softened)</div><div align="justify">1 tsp. vanilla</div><div align="justify">1 3/4 cups powdered sugar</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Combine flour, baking powder, salt, soda, and spices. Add eggs, pumpkin, sugar, and oil. Blend well (and stir in some nuts here, if desired, or raisins, or choclate chips...) Grease and lightly flour two 9 by 13-inch cake pans or one jelly roll pan. Spread dough in pan evenly. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean).</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Frosting: Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Spread over cooled bars.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Oh, yum! What's not to like about cream cheese frosting?! My husband says "that stuff will kill ya", to which I just say "leaves more for me". You could always leave one pan unfrosted and just put <em><u>more cream cheese frosting!</u></em> on the <strong>good<em> </em></strong>pan, ehem.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Here's hoping for a few more fine fall afternoons,</div><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-33024221485943100812009-10-22T14:30:00.000-05:002009-10-22T14:36:20.658-05:00Apple Oatmeal Bars<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4828-775941.JPG" />This is what happens when there's good chocolate in Mom's Bag, which is left on the floor, where The Baby is loose. Just in case any of you were wondering...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4826-776155.JPG" /> <div><br /><div><div><div align="justify">We're still going through the apples- yummo! I thought I'd share a family favorite recipe, not quite as fast as the <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2008/10/one-week-already.html">Freestyle Apple Tart</a>, but it also doesn't require having a premade pie crust waiting for you in the fridge. These Apple Oatmeal Bars (which bear a striking resemblance to apple crsip, is there a differenc? I dunno, you decide) are so easy to put together that it's really quite to my shame that I don't make this <em>much</em> more often.<br /></div><div align="justify">I got the recipe from my little sister. She's a grown woman, married and expecting baby #2, but I can still call her little, because, well, she's younger than me, she's much shorter than me, and she married a man with the last name Little. She'll never not be my little sister. I dunno where she got the recipe- I'll have to ask.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>Apple Oatmeal Bars</strong></div><br /><div align="justify">2 c. flour</div><div align="justify">1 tsp. salt</div><div align="justify">1 tsp. baking soda</div><div align="justify">1 c. brown sugar</div><div align="justify">2 c. oatmeal</div><div align="justify">1 c. shortening*</div><div align="justify">9 (about) medium apples, sliced</div><div align="justify">1 c. white sugar</div><div align="justify">1 tsp. cinnamon (I may use <em>much more</em> than that, what can I say? I love cinnamon)</div><div align="justify">4 Tbsp. butter</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Mix flour, salt, soda, brown sugar, and oatmeal; cut in shortening* unti mixture is crumbly. Spread half of mixture into greased 9" x 9" baking dish (a deep dish pie plate works well too). Press down firmly. Cover with apple slices. Mix white sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over apples. Dot with butter. Cover with remaining crumb mixture and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes (you know, when it looks, smells, and feels done!)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">*You can substitute 2/3 c. butter for shortening in crust (that's what I do! Mmm, butter!).</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">If I could take a good food picture I would, I truly would, but <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2009/01/monday-monday.html">the last time I posted a picture of some apple crisp</a> my dad thought it looked like something the cat had thrown up. Yep, my dad is fun that way (and <em>funny</em>, gave us girls some thick skin, okay, mine wears thin now and then, and wry senses of humor), and, well, even though I disagreed, the very thought that somebody, you know, <em>'out there'</em> might think my apple crisps all end up looking like cat puke, well, yuck. We have cats, but I think I kinda like them a little bit less each time they puke. As long as they catch some mice...</div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4838-722625.JPG" /> <div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Now that I've mentioned both mice <em>and </em>cat puke in a recipe post, I shall try to distract you from my utter loss of any good sense, with the news that my Wee One is now, officially, One Entire Year Old. And he walks. And he's a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/biblioclast">biblioclast</a>*.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4841-722361.JPG" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">*Greek root for this week- <em>biblos</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><br /><div align="justify">And I'm in the home stretch on my Top Down Vine Lace Cardigan- Yay! I'll be wearing it in no time, or at least by this time next year.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">What are you knitting this week? Any objects in the home stretch? </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">How about baking? Anyone else bit with the baking bug (apples or no apples) since the cooler weather moved in? Maybe next post I'll share my <em>other </em>little sister's recipe for my favorite Pumpkin Bars...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Until then,</div><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify">ali</div></div></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-17813607371195422232009-10-20T18:00:00.002-05:002009-10-20T18:48:34.521-05:00FO: Lacy Baktus<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 388px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/LacyBaktusIMG_4589-704183.jpg" /> <div><div><div align="justify">I loved having <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ali/lacy-baktus">this simple knit</a> on the needles. It made for perfect soccer knitting, hospital sitting knitting, and even some good car ride home knitting. The downhill side is always interesting on a knit like this- interesting to see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">whether</span> it picks up steam or putters out (okay, it's really me that does the puttering out at times, not the knitting).</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">There I was, picking up steam and all, when I realized something wasn't quite right. My sides weren't lining up the same when I would fold it in 'half' at the point to see how much further I had to knit. Somewhere along the way my gauge had grown- both my stitch and my row gauge. I think I've always been a pretty consistent knitter, so, though I have heard of gauge changing quite a bit over the course of a project, I had never actually experienced the phenomenon myself- and certainly not on a project that only took a couple weeks, and is only one piece. It's not terrible, but it is definitely enough for me to notice, and for everyone that I point it out to to notice, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hehe</span>; enough that I would never give this slightly wonky scarf away as a gift...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/LacyBaktusIMG_4590-704220.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">I must make it clear- it's not <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83952633@N00/3646583926/">the pattern</a>'s fault, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">wonkiness</span> is all about my gauge, and the only way I can figure it (because my overly analytical mind <em>needs to figure it</em>) is that with all the hospital <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hubbub</span>, maybe me being so tired caused my gauge to loosen up...?</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">It boggles my mind, but, it is, after all, only a scarf, or tiny shawl, (or scar-awl/<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2009/09/my-mysterious-baktus.html">scrawl</a>), and not destined to be a gift, so a little lopsidedness is not really any big deal, though it does grate against my perfectionist sensibilities the wrong way just a wee-little-bit. Oh, well. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">C'est</span> la vie. I'm a big girl, I can handle it. Or I can just let me 2 yr old wear it, as she pretty much believes I knit it for her...</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4811-773912.jpg" /></div></div></div><br /><p>I loved it, and think I may cast on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mustaavillaa/baktus-scarf">a stripey version</a> sometime soon...</p><p>Happy knitting-<br />ali</p><p align="justify">*oh, and next year, anyone who lives near enough will be able to buy some homegrown watermelon at the <em>lil' farmers'</em> market my kids will need to set up to deal with our excess produce. Unless, of course, all the green thumbs turn brown...</p>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-87263520839971889032009-10-16T20:41:00.003-05:002009-10-17T14:20:32.477-05:00Rank Watermelon Blues<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4675-738427.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/IMG_4675-738289.JPG" /></a> Tonight's PSA: Too many watermelons kept for too long on the counter will eventually lead to one of them leaking- this is not a good thing, that is not a good smell... and the moral of the story is, when one harvests a TON of watermelon at the end of the season, one really should bless friends and family (with several melons each) or sell it at the nearest farmer's market. One's family can only eat so many watermelon in a week...<br /><br />I turned to my right, and wondered what the liquid was that was dripping off my counter. Who could have spilled their drink all over the overcrowded counter? The one filled to almost overflowing (well, I guess at that point it actually was overflowing, sheesh) with an excessive number of watermelons, and the mail which was soaking in foul smelling juice. Oy.<br /><br />After scrambling to clean up that, what shall we call it? um, bump in the road, this evening, things are smelling much better (orange essential oil in my kitchen cleaner!) and we are down to the last 4 good watermelons- one of which is being snacked on right now, so I guess that would make it 3...<br /><br />And the knitting? (No yarn was harmed in the rotting of that watermelon.) I am currently well into my 2nd skein of a <a href="http://www.sweaterbabe.com/knitting-patterns/vine-lace-top-downcardigan.htm">Vine Lace Top-Down Cardigan</a> for my very self. (I really do still enjoy knitting other people's designs!) It's gotten (freezing) cold, and I'm a cardigan kind of gal. I love how quickly bulky knits knit up, and I'm completely in love with top-down construction. I'd love to have this done in a week (I cast on before bed, 10/14). I won't, but I'd love to. A busy mom can still dream.<br /><br />The designing? I've been working on my transition to self-publishing, but I've been working at a snail's pace, with my family and our homeschooling adventure taking a higher rung on the priority ladder. And that's okay, it's the way it should be for me. I do have several patterns about 95% ready to go, and I'm super excited about that. I just don't know how soon I can wrap up that last 5%, and that's okay too. It will come when it comes, I'm not losing any sleep over it. There are so many other reasons to lose sleep these days...<br /><br />And the baby? Oh, my, could he be any sweeter? I doubt it, and I can hardly believe he'll be a One Year Old in 5 days!?! Oh, my, he is such a joy & delight, and so very, very, big! As his birthday happens to fall on the same day of my dad's, I have just reminded myself that I only have 5 days to think of something, (or maybe conspire with my sisters, one of whom has <a href="http://www.freshmaked.blogspot.com/">a new blog</a>!), to come up with something for him too...<br /><br />Have a fabulous weekend!<br />Happy knitting-<br />ali </div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23383073.post-19403578509500347572009-10-12T23:17:00.004-05:002009-10-13T00:05:25.990-05:00Cold Apples<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/appleorchardIMG_4511-740026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/appleorchardIMG_4511-740018.jpg" /></a> <div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">10 yr old Big J, in his </span><a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2008/12/good-bad-and-bulky-thorpe.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Buky Thorpe</span></a></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">A friend of <a href="http://www.theblondeknitter.blogspot.com/">a friend</a> has an apple orchard. They mentioned they could use some gleaners- apples for the taking, just pitch in a bit and pick a tree clean. Was I interested? Um, yeah! With snow in the air, and more on the way, it was kind of a 'how soon can you get here?' situation, so after seeing Teenager off to a soccer double header (in 28 degrees with snow <em>and wind, </em>better him than me, I tell ya, I wouldn't last a minute, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'da</span> quit the team right there on the spot, but I'm wimpy- he's hearty) and husband off to some Saturday 'extra' working, I cracked the whip, rounded up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every one's</span> coat, ordered the donning of the mittens, hats, and boots, and headed down and over a town or two for some picking fun.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">It was cold. Really cold. After a while, my toes hurt far too much to call that fun, but the baskets and buckets we'd brought were not yet full, and with another hard freeze on the way, the apples weren't going to last. It was 'now or never', so we picked on. I came home with I dunno how many Fireside, Cortland, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Harrelson</span> apples (my personal fave!!)- more than we can eat anytime soon, even with 7 children and 2 adults eating on a regular basis around here, so there will be some 'putting food by' going on for the next several days. Applesauce tomorrow, as well as dehydrating (oh, I <em>love </em>dehydrated apples for snacking!) and freezing some slices ready for pies. We might have had a huge batch (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>, they might all be huge, we do feed a few people around here) of oatmeal loaded with apples and cinnamon (another favorite!) and a more generous than usual amount of brown sugar... and we may have some apple crisps and there may even be a pie or two if I can find the time for some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crust making</span> tomorrow.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Anyway, like I said, <em>it was cold. </em>Seriously, and with that wind, oh my, even my cold-heartiest of my cold-hearty children had a few <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">whimpering</span> moments. This global warming is really hard on less-than-ideally protected feet, like mine, and my poor oldest daughter who just wouldn't stay little until her Carters wore out- she outgrew her winter boots and we haven't found her a new pair yet, mostly because we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">really</span> haven't looked much yet, you know, as it was only October 10<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>!! Lady Liberty ended up warming in the van (with Baby J) for a bit, at least until it was time to go see the horses! Nothing like a horse to bring a frozen girl out to brave the elements, even if the horse runs off into the pasture after the tractor trailor filled with apples...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.skeinsherway.com/uploaded_images/appleorchardIMG_4501-739781.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I'm glad I had my <a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2009/10/confessions-of-cold-wimp.html">new hat</a>, but check out my hands- I didn't want to dirty any 'good' mittens and I couldn't find any decent gloves, so I grabbed a pair of garden gloves, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>! Whatever, I was in it for the apples, not the hand shots!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">And now I'm ready for some serious warm things knitting, or at least some serious warm bed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">cozying</span>- time to put the down comforter into the flannel duvet cover! I have yarn for a sweater, I even hand wound my first skein this morning... Now I just need some free-time, HA!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Do you have a favorite apple variety? Favorite apple recipe? (<a href="http://www.skeinsherway.com/2008/10/one-week-already.html">Remember this one?</a>) Freezing trip to the apple orchard story to share? I'd like to think I'm not the only one to tempt frostbite fate for apples, but you never can tell about these things...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Happy knitting-</div><div align="justify"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">ali</span></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05296289041330949932noreply@blogger.com13