Knitting

The one where she now has an

February 19, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

abundance of projects on the needles. The Omega Sinfonia has been reborn as Elisa’s Nest Tote. It’s a free pattern from purlsoho.com that I found on Ravelry. Nice, open lace pattern. See –

I started Wilma Becker’s Celebration Toe Up Socks last night with some ancient sock yarn I ran across when cruising my stash. I’ll post a picture tomorrow while it’s sunny, artificial light really doesn’t do it justice. Dark blue, purple and orchid (I guess that’s what you’d call it). Putting it on the to do list right now.

I baked a pan of Hello Dollies on a whim this afternoon. I had high hopes that I might get a pic before Mr. Iknead helped himself. Fail. It happened while I was fetching the camera. Sigh. Here’s the not so perfect product

It’s never too late to be who you might have been. George Eliot (1819-1880)

Knitting

The one where she casts

February 11, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

on her newest project, Minnowknits Pinafore Dress.

I’m using Jil Eaton Cottontail, #7520, Aqua.

I can see Susannah in it already. Come on Spring.

On the subject of Spring, it’s hard to believe that about 48 hours ago, Little Rock was in the middle of a snowstorm, with temps in the 20s. Today, when I left work, the sun was shining, birds were chirping and the temp was around 50F. That’s Arkansas weather for you, if it doesn’t suit you, wait 30 minutes because it’s going to change.

I think cupcakes are going to be the project this weekend, haven’t decided what kind, for some reason, cupcakes are ringing my bells tonight. Maybe a nice yellow cake with strawberries incorporated some way. Hmmm…

You cannot be mad at somebody who makes you laugh – it’s as simple as that. (Jay Leno (1950 – )

Knitting

The one where the pressure

February 9, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

is off re: Snowmaggeddon. It started snowing about 7 a.m. today and snowed hard for a solid ten hours. Mr. Iknead measured it about 4 p.m. and according to his ruler, we had about seven inches. Needless to say, life as we know it has come to a (temporary) skidding halt and will probably stay that way through tomorrow. Here’s what happened at my house today: I baked another Topsy Turvy Apple pie and have nearly finished the Quickset socks; I decided to kill two birds with one stone with the photo today –

and made a pot of baked potato soup. Very good on this cold, snowy day.

I took these pictures looking out the front door about 10 a.m. Amazing –

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade? Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790).

Knitting

The one where Snowmaggedon

February 7, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

is predicted. OK, Arkansas has had more snow in the past two weeks than the years previous. I get that compared to someplace like Minnesota, Maine, Canada, etc., we’ve not had even a drop in the bucket. I get that, but, since this is Arkansas and all the weather guy has to say is maybe, possibly or, could but probably won’t, everyone and their dog decides that They Must Go To The Grocery Store Immediately, If Not Sooner and they don’t dare take a chance on running out of frozen pizza, ice cream, chips or any other junk food items even for a few hours. So, it’s been forecast that “Snowmaggedon” will arrive sometime Tuesday, my grocery list has already been started and I’m debating whether to try to beat the crowd and go tonight after work or take a chance and wait until tomorrow. Flip a coin.

I caved and went to the store after work. Had to get butter, eggs, cream cheese, bacon, health food you know. Now they’re predicting 8+ inches for us. Wow.

I picked up a pair of socks that I tossed aside about six months ago when my head was turned by a cuter pattern and prettier yarn, but unearthed the sock project accidently. The pattern is Quickset Socks by Megan Marshall and who knows about the yarn. That wasn’t unearthed during my initial wip excavation. If I find it, I’ll post it. Here’s the stitch detail –

Machines take me by surprise with great frequency. Alan Turing (1912 – 1954)

Uncategorized

The one where she loses

February 6, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

her car keys, makes an apple pie and finds her keys all in the space of an afternoon. The pie was a smashing success at the meeting tonight, with the plate pretty much scraped clean. I knew I had misplaced my keys before I left for the meeting because I had to borrow Mr. Iknead’s to get there. So, when I got home, I started searching, looked and looked and gave up for the night. Mr. Iknead came home, asked if I’d found them, and then asked if I’d checked my coat pockets. He checked and ta da! There were the sought after keys. One more reason I love him, finder of lost things.

These youngsters are my kids (minus one who couldn’t make the party), left to right Katie, our DIL, Number one son Jordan, married to Katie and Lindsey, Number one daughter, married to SIL, Clefton. Blessings all. The Papoose AKA Susannah was still in utero at time of this picture, I think.

Outings are so much more fun when we can savor them through the children’s eyes. Lawana Blackwell

Knitting

The one where the Eternal

February 5, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

Legwarmers are no longer eternal. I finished weaving ends in about 30 minutes ago and think they turned out to be really neat. Like I said in another, earlier post, I love the look of legwarmers, I hope they like me as well. Take a look

I took another photo that I like better, but I don’t know how to rotate the image. That’s something I’ll figure out tomorrow.

Besides finishing these, I made sourdough today. It’s an all day undertaking, not difficult, but requires a lot of time and patience. I just took the loaves out of the oven, they smell heavenly! Sourdough toast tomorrow a.m., mmmmmm.

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn’t block traffic. Dan Rather (1931 – )

Knitting

The one where she may be getting

February 4, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

a little weary of the cold weather that’s been blanketing Arkansas the past week or so. Today, it’s been alternating between sleet and snow since about 8 a.m. or so. Even though it’s really cold, like in the 20s, it’s been nice having my schedule cleared, being able to take my time, piddling around the house and doing some baking. I made some Sugar Donut Mini Muffins that turned out to be very tasty, just like, duh, sugar donuts. It’s a keeper I think. I pulled the recipe from the internet, www.copykat.com, one of my favorite recipe sites. Quick pic –

Legwarmer update: Five inches to go! The end is in sight!

To be content with what one has is the greatest and truest of riches. Cicero (106 BC-43BC

Uncategorized

The one where they’re still

January 29, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

in Fayetteville with the Papoose and family. Butter Brickle Cake got made today, it only took two trips to the store to get everything, but it did get made.

Still warm.

I taught Susannah to pattycake today. Beauty and brains!

Mr. Iknead and Susannah.

We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Arthur O’Shaughnessy

Knitting

The one where she figures out

January 23, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

that she really doesn’t like using the dough hook on her Kitchenaid and doesn’t plan to ever use it again. Here’s why:

I rely on how the dough I’m kneading feels to know when it’s ready to rest and rise. Since using the dough hook instead of by hand took the “feel” away, the dough was way overkneaded and so the texture of the cinnamon rolls left something to be desired. Fortunately, they’re delicious and since the family has never let a little think like texture stand in the way of enjoyment, they’ll probably be gone by tomorrow morning at the latest. They’re also quite ugly, no food stylist here, but again, they’re tasty. See what I mean?

I made lentil soup today. I’d never had lentils, had just about every type of bean besides those, being from the south, but they were good. It was a vegetarian recipe, which was a departure for me, but turned out well. A keeper I’m pretty sure.

When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth. George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950

Knitting

The one where she shows off

January 22, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

her first Friday FO – ta da!!!

Here’s one a little closer –

CEY Libery Wool color #7898, 5 skeins, Molly scarf.

Still plugging on with the Scarf in a Scarf, should be finished by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. It’s taking longer than I thought it would, I didn’t figure in the “kind of boring” factor. Row after row of knit stitch, interrupted every 17 rows by a buttonhole.

I’m planning on making sourdough bread tomorrow. I’ve gotten the starter out, warmed and fed. Making sourdough is a two day project if you count the warming and feeding stages. You can’t rush sourdough!

The test if a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves. Logan Pearsall Smith (1985 – 1946