Author: mud&string

Mother, daughter, wife, grandma, friend, animal lover, potter, knitter, Catholic and finally, retiree. Will work for yarn and/or clay and tend to geek out on any and all the above at the drop of a hat, provoking glazed expressions from family and anyone I can buttonhole after hello.
Knitting

WIP Wednesday 12/05/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

Mr. Iknead’s first sock continues to grow and it’s close enough to being finished that I need to have him try it on just to make sure it fits perfectly.  Since this is the first time he’s requested any kind of knitting, I want it to fit perfectly and be all he wanted in a sock and then some.  To me, knitting+socks=warmth+love with a little practicality thrown in.  Here’s where I am on the first one –

WIP – Simple Skype Socks for Mr. Iknead, modeled by yours truly  and

a close up of the stitch pattern

WOOHOO!

Yesterday, I blogged about breathlessly waiting for my new Kitchenaid mixer’s arrival; believe it or not, I hit the publish button, my doorbell rang and there stood my UPS guy with an armful of gifts I’d ordered for the fam on line and then he said, “I have a mixer in the truck, I wanted to make sure you were home before I carried it to the door.”  I couldn’t hold my happy dance in check and by the time I’d wound down, I had my new KA.  Here she is in all her glory –

I christened her this afternoon with a recipe from Pinterest, Meili’s Cinnamon Cream Cheese Streusal Coffee Cake.  I think we’re made to be together!   Sugared Pecans are on the schedule for tomorrow, a Christmas tradition in our house.

Check out Tami Ami’s blog for more WIP Wednesday love.

Clear your mind of can’t.  Solon

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Knitting

HBD!!

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WHAT’S UP

Happy birthday Mr. Iknead!  I love you!

THE GRANDS

Mr. Iknead and I got to spend some quality time with all three of the grands this morning.  Bigdaddy, Bigmommy and Babymama all had business here in Little Rock and so naturally, we jumped at the chance to be able to hog the babies for a couple of hours without parental supervision.  It was heaven.  We learned that 1)Babydiva loves dry cinnamon toast crunch cereal, 2) The Papoose never turns down chocolate milk and 3) Babysis smiles at ceiling fans.  I told you it was heaven, didn’t I?

The Papoose

Babysis with her Elvis ‘do

Babydiva

CURRENT EVENTS OR NONEVENTS WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE

I’m still on medical leave, coming up on  2 1/2 weeks tomorrow and it’s been harder than I ever imagined it would be.  Not the not working part, totally into that, but I’m having a hard time remembering that I don’t have to go at a dead run all the time, trying to fit a week’s worth of stuff into a couple of days.  I have real, live free time (though I seem to stay busy), so have been doing a lot of cooking, knitting, reading, walking and whatever else strikes my fancy at any particular moment.  Right now, I’ve got Mr. Iknead’s requested birthday supper on the stove, homemade spaghetti sauce, simmering nicely and am engaged in obsessively checking to see if the UPS man has brought my new Kitchenaid mixer so I can begin my holiday baking and Mr. Iknead’s birthday dessert.  Since we live on a fairly busy street and I’m compelled to run and check every time I hear what sounds like a big vehicle, I’ve probably covered a couple of miles 40 feet  or so at a time.

BY THE BOOK

This week, I’ve been listening to Running the Books, by Avi Steinberg and enjoying it immensely.  I’m totally enjoying time with my books, whether ebooks, audiobooks or paper.  Maybe I can finally make some progress on my want to read list, which, by the way, just gets longer and longer.  Loving rediscovering leisurely reading!

OFF THE NEEDLES

I finished my Adamas shawl last weekend and finally was able to hook up with Babymama for a picture.  I think they’re both lovely-

I also have a pair of socks in progress at Mr. Iknead’s request but I’m saving those for tomorrow, it being WIP Wednesday and all, they’re working up nicely.  Gotta love superwash merino.  As Martha would say “It’s a good thing”.

The generous and bold have the best lives.  Norwegian proverb

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Knitting

Pray Tell

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WHAT’S GOING ON

I’ve not posted in at least a week, probably a little longer, because I had a flare of my ischemic colitis and ended up in the hospital for exactly seven days, getting out (barely) in time for Thanksgiving last Wednesday,  believe it or else, being discharged at midnight.  I had pretty much prepared myself to spend at least one more night since it was so late and all, but the nurses took pity on me and had the paperwork all ready for me when the time came.  It turned out to be so late because I had to have a blood transfusion (my first and hopefully only) before they’d let me be go.  Did you know it takes 2 1/2 hours from start to finish with a transfusion?  Yeah, a long time, especially when you don’t get started until 9:30 p.m, because the computer system was down for a while and set everything back a couple of hours.  Odd feeling really, I kept looking at the bag and wondering about the donor, who they were, how old, did he/she work, etc.  Because someone donated a pint, I got to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with all the grands, with parents and other grandparents in tow.  The Papoose’s other set of grandparents, Grandmary and Pops, were kind enough to host our dinner on a minute’s notice, with the usual grace and sweetness.  Pops and Grandmary, we’re all blessed to be part of the family.  Love you so much.  Shameless plug – if you are able and willing, please donate a pint of blood, it means so much more than just a little stick and 30 minutes of your day, it could mean someone else can be with loved ones on a holiday or offer a second chance after illness or an accident.  When (if) I’m cleared to do so, I’ll be trotting down to our local Red Cross and doing my part, you can bet on that.

THE GRANDS

Enough of that, look at our darlings –

Babydiva, who by the way started crawling yesterday.

Babysis, seven weeks old and so sweet.

Thanksgiving 2012

The Papoose, who kept us all in line.

Mr. Iknead and I have been consulting with Santa over the past week, good things are in the works, you’ll just have to take my word for it.  Ho ho ho!  We’ve heard it through the grapevine that we’ve all been very good this year and he’s making a list and checking it twice.  I can’t wait!!!

WHAT I FORGOT

I had a follow up visit with one of my doctors this morning to go over tests and stuff and as of today, I’m on medical leave at least until 12/10, which is my next appointment with him.  I’m not sure how I feel about this.  I’ve been set to retire 12/20 and so have been eagerly anticipating that date and now, all of a sudden, it could come about before then.  Part of me is OK with it and part of me is sort of disappointed, that this is not at all how I’ve planned it.  What is it that they say about making plans?  Something about if you want to make God laugh, make plans?

So, that’s what’s up in Ikneadland and I’ve decided to just go with the flow.  Remember – It’s all good.

Keep on truckin’.  R. Crumb

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 11/14/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

First up, the Adamas shawl, about 2/3 finished –

Pattern close up –

Number 2 WIP, scrap yarn granny squares, probably ending up as a scarf –

 As an aside, I haven’t crocheted in years, but I was happy that it came back to me pretty quickly.  A nice change from my bigger knitting projects every now and then.

Check out Tami Amis for more cool WIPs.

I promise to keep on living as though I expected to live forever.  Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.  People grow old by deserting their ideals.  Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up wrinkles the soul.  Douglas MacArthur

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Knitting

Through the phone

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WHAT I SEE

I’ve gotten into the habit on the weekends to take my iPhone instead of my iPod on my walks and have been taking pictures of things that grab my attention. I’ve learned that what catches my attention are more patterns and colors and not entire images.  Example:  On my Saturday walk, this pine cone caught my eye, but not the whole thing, just the sort of spiral pattern on one end –

The colors of this plant, maybe some sort of ornamental cabbage?, was what first caught my eye, this was my first impression photo, one where I didn’t know that the zoom was activated; so, the pic was a total surprise when I got home and looked at it.

I went back to get another look and got the whole plant this time.  Somehow, it’s not nearly as interesting or intense as a whole.  The zoomed photo makes me think of pictures of giant clams in the ocean I’d see in National Geographic when I was a kid, with a row of eyes along the edge of their shells. Can you see them?

   

 I see a mosaic in this tree’s leaves.

BABY GRAND

Here’s the latest installment in Babysis, seven weeks and sooooooooo cute!  Is there anything sweeter than a new smile?

 

A laugh is a smile that bursts.  Mary H. Waldrip

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 11/07/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

 

Adamas Shawl

Not so much knitting time these past few days, I seem more even more distractable that usual.  This usually requires a little bit more alone time, something that’s been in short supply lately.  But, as always, it’s all good.

Check out Tami Amis blog for more cool WIPs.

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities.  Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.  Gloria Steinem

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Knitting

Vote

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MY TWO CENTS

If you haven’t already, get out and vote today!  Yeah, it’s that important. 

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.  Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

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Knitting

Busy, busy, busy

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STICK A FORK IN ME

because I’m done.  Very busy Sunday and accomplished much.  First of all, I took advantage of the cooler weather (low 60s) to clean my oven, which was not a moment to soon.  It’s a self cleaner but it gets so hot and heats the house up so much that I let it slide until cool weather.  Like I said, not a moment too soon.  I’d fixed au gratin potatoes on Saturday night, which were excellent by the way, but it cooked over in the oven and coated the bottom with cheese sauce.  Needless to say, smoke billowed out when it got good and into its cleaning cycle.   Made me a little nervous, even though I knew it would happen.  Now, though, I have a nice, clean oven to start getting messy again.

Then, using the domino theory, I decided to bake some bread to take advantage of the warmer than usual kitchen.  Then, instead of  plain old white/wheat bread, since I had all the ingredients on hand, I decided to tart it up and ended up making three loaves of whole wheat raisin and oat bread (it made a huge amount).  Naturally, I had to record it for posterity –

Ready for first rising

Ready for second rise –

 Ready for the oven

 

 Finally, out of the oven and cooling

Turned out nicely and it seemed to be a hit at the Sunday night meeting.  I even remembered to take butter to put on the still warm bread.  I think they liked it.  Now, what next…

I made Babydiva a bracelet out of some spare beads I had –

 Harper's bracelet

Turned out to be really sweet.  I hope she’ll wear it and not decide it’s something good to eat.  Can’t take a chance on that.  I think, though, she’s enough of a girly girl to wear it.  She’s so cute I can’t stand it!

 Lastly, I decided to get the jump on Monday morning and laid out my clothes and got my lunch together.  The best time to prepare for Monday morning is Sunday evening in our household, I always say.  Hardly ever happens, but still…………..

Formula for success:  Underpromise and overdeliver.  Thomas Peters

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Knitting

The hurrier I go

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BACK IN THE DARK AGES

When I was a kid, an aunt that I was close to and visited often had a little sign in her kitchen that read, “The Hurrier I Go, The Behinder I Get”.  It always made me giggle because I thought it was so silly.  How can you get more behind when you hurry?  Now, though, since I’m living proof that you can, in fact, get further behind when in a hurry, it’s perfectly logical and I try to remember its corrollary (I think that’s what it’s called), “Slow Down, It’ll Happen”.  All this is leading up to is the confession that I didn’t get anything that was on my list done, but, I got to feed Babydiva her noon bottle (getting lots of kisses at the same time), spent time with my sweet DIL who graciously modeled Pretty Maids for me to photograph and fixed a mistake on my just started Adamas shawl, getting it back on track and ready to work on again.   A good day all around.

Pretty Maids Shawl

THE GRANDS

Babydiva supervised the photo shoot –

She says, “That’s a wrap!”

Check out Tami Ami’s blog for more FO Friday goodies.

Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish.  Michelangelo

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 10/31/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

New shawl started, the pattern is Adamas, using Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk in a soft gray.  Very pretty.  Pretty Maids is officially finished, blocked and waiting for a nice day for a picture.  I’m very pleased with it, especially since it’s really my first all lace project.  It blocked really well and turned out way better than I expected.  My patience with blocking anything is pretty limited anyway and with the Papoose helping me, I wasn’t sure what the result was going to be.  I’ll have it up for FO Friday for sure.  In the meantime, here’s Adamas –

BY THE BOOK

Still working on the Six Wives of Henry the Eighth, up to Catherine Parr.  It amazes me how the monarchy works.  I know it’s different now, I mean, what’s it been 500 or so years since Henry the Eighth, but even now, what would it be like to have the power and responsibility of a royal?  Would having your every wish fulfilled get tiresome after a while?  Probably so, but I’d love to try and see what it’s like!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The Cancer Registry’s newest employee:

 

For more WIP Wednesday projects, head on over to Tami Ami’s WIPW blog.  Enjoy!

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won.  There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they may seem invincible, but in the end they always fall, always.  Gandhi

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Knitting

It’s so quiet!

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THE GRANDS

We had the Papoose from Friday morning until Sunday evening this past weekend and now that it’s just us again, it’s so quiet, it’s “I can hear Josie snoring two rooms away” quiet.  As always, Susannah was a joy, happy, a great napper/sleeper, a good eater and ready for anything.  She kept us on our toes sure enough and I laughed myself into a set of sore ribs.  What’s better than that?  She got a mani-pedi –

Susie with her mani-pedi

and Papa brushed up on his coloring skills –

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What’s not to like?  Right?  Papa does have an odd fixation about staying inside the lines, but Susie and I are working on that and he’s coming along nicely.

IN THE OVEN

Cooler temps over the weekend meant doing some real cooking – I made a beef stew on Friday and Crockpot Burritos on Saturday.  The burritos especially were a winner.  Babydiva, Babydaddy and Babymama came over Sunday after church and helped us eat the leftovers.  Even better then second day!  I’d hoped to bake bread over the weekend but that clearly was a little overly optimistic timewise.  Maybe next weekend.  It’s on the list.

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.  Helen Keller

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Knitting

What’s up

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COMING UP

Three months ago or so I had to have a tooth pulled and tomorrow morning I’m scheduled to have the first stage of a dental implant to take its place. I’ll be glad to get the ball rolling on this, even though where my tooth was isn’t noticeable, I hate having that empty space. It hurts when I forget not to chew on that side (how does anyone who is toothless and without dentures eat anything??) and just feels odd.

THE GRANDS

51F1BEB1-9474-41A2-ABE9-A2C7612CFC48.JPG

Babydiva

The Papoose

Babysis

Our precious babies! The Papoose is coming for an overnight tomorrow and Saturday and I have a Susannah grocery list going, with her fave foods. I am trying to keep the junk food to a minimum but I confess, I love it as much as she does, so along with stuff like yogurt, Cheerios and fruit, there’s instant mac and cheese, Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream and chocolate milk. Can’t wait!

BY THE BOOK

I’m very much immersed in