Tag: Papoose

Knitting

Yippee, WIPW 02/06/13 and a Stash Dive

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YIPPEE!

Thanks Mollie aka deepbluerenegade for making me the winner of your 100 Blog Posts contest.  I opted for a $10.00 gift card from Mr. Yarn and plan to use this to feed my Shibui Sock addiction.  I’ll make my final decision sometime today and get it posted to share the yarny love.  I love me some contests!

THE GRANDS

I found this cute pic when I hacked into visited Mr. Iknead’s Shutterfly stuff.  I’m a Flickr-phile myself so every so often I check out his Shutterfly to see if I’ve missed something.  Here’s this week’s fave –

I love the way the Papoose has her chin in her hand, it seems to be such a “big girl” attitude and the way Babydiva is looking at her, little girl learning from big girl.  So cute!

WARNING!  STASH DIVING CAN BE HAZARDOUS!

Earlier this week, I got it into my head that I’d misplaced a skein of really expensive (for me) sock yarn and since I didn’t have any socks on the needles, decided I couldn’t go one more minute without getting a pair started and absolutely, positively couldn’t use anything but the misplaced yarn.  Naturally, this meant turning my yarn stash upside down, digging feverishly, just knowing it had to be in the next box or bin or bag.  Didn’t find it.  Looked under furniture.  Didn’t find it.  Looked in the stash overflow area.  Didn’t find it.  Instead, this is what I did find – balls and skeins and hanks of yarn that I, either intentionally or unintentionally, had forgotten and this is why organizing/reorganizing your stash can be hazardous – you get caught up in one of two reactions or at least, I did.  The “what was I thinking??” reaction or the “OMG, I love this stuff!  How could it have been languishing all this time??”  When this happens, all work comes to a screeching halt and for the next little while, I’m looking, remembering, fondling and running to Mr. Iknead repeatedly showing him the treasures I’ve found.  Mr. Iknead’s enthusiasm for this is so low as to be nonexistent, by the way.

OK, back on track.  Anyhow, last night I figured out why, after multiple searches, this yarn is still MIA.  It’s because it’s been wound already and I’ve been looking for a hank.  I even remember winding it. Today I’m going to search again, but for the correct shape and I bet I find it right away.  This yarn has nearly reached “Holy Grail” status in my single minded obsession to find it.  Is that odd?

ON THE NEEDLES

Here’s what I’ve accomplished on the Etched Rio Wrap so far, when I wasn’t turning my stash upside down (see above).

I love the color of this Metalico yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas, a pinky-gold.

BY THE BOOK

I’m currenting listening to A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.  Strangely enough, I learned about this book while watching one of those sort of embarrassing shows on the I.D. channel.  You know the ones, with bad reenactments and strange voice overs.  The author committed suicide back in the early 1970s and after his death, his family found this unpublished novel hidden away, sent it to a publisher and, bang, a bestseller.  Interesting book, interesting back story.

Don’t forget to visit Tami Amis blog  and  Small Things Yarn Along for more WIPW goodness!

Man’s mind, stretched by a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions.  Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Knitting

Mission Accomplished, After a Fashion

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WHAT’S UP

I just spent at least an hour trying to get a new widget on my Iknead2knit blog, but it was like pulling teeth.  For all intents and purposes, I’m computer illiterate.  I can follow directions, but I have no idea why or what makes everything work.  Consequently, it takes forever for me to finally put the right stuff, in the right place and in the right order to make things happen, but this is totally by trial and error, with me trying out different combinations of what, where and why before I hit the jackpot.  I do have An Idiot’s Guide To WordPress  which is of some help, but is somewhat outdated.  Anyway, I finally got it and for my trouble, I have a pretty little periwinkle Yarn-Along widget residing in the Iknead2knit sidebar now.  Nice, don’t you think?

BY THE BOOK

I finally finished Michael Hyatt‘s book, Platform – Get Noticed in a Noisy World and it was fabulous.  It’s mostly geared to building an Internet platform to promote a product or service, but he has a lot of practical advice for bloggers who want to promote their blog and increase readership.  I got a lot of practical information and even better, it’s an easy, interesting read in a format that didn’t get so technical as to being off-putting.  Great book!

Next up will be Pam Belluck’s Island Practice.  I can’t wait to get started!

Island Practice: Cobblestone Rash, Underground Tom, and Other Adventures of a Nantucket Doctor

THE GRANDS

Bigdaddy and Bigmommy came to visit over the weekend with the Papoose and the Sprout and did we ever have fun.  That is, until the middle of the night, when the Sprout decided after her 3 a.m feeding that no, she absolutely, positively DID NOT want to go back to bed and made her statement in screams so high pitched that only dogs could hear.  Poor Bigdaddy and Mommy were a little frayed at the edges as she has been doing this for the past month or so (she’s only four months old) and, of course, all the commotion wakes up the Papoose.  Then, they have two unhappy babies going at the same time and then stuff just sort of snowballs.  Mr Iknead and I were able to lend a hand so Bigmommy could catch up a little bit on the sleep she’s been missing, but, being a mommy also means that you’re never really “off duty”, and sleep with at least one eye and one ear open all the time.  They know perfectly well that this won’t last forever but at 3 a.m., it’s hard to remember this and not get discouraged and frustrated.  Ah yes, the joys of young parenthood….  FLASH FLASH FLASH  I just received a message from Bigmommy practically shouting “She slept from 10:30 p.m. last night to 8 a.m. this morning!”  They tried a different swaddle and it worked!  Bigmommy says she feels like a different woman today!   Hurray!!!

Reformed Sleep Thief (we hope)

I love the way she smiles with her whole face!

POP THE QUESTION

What’s your go-to for a good night’s sleep?

If you can dream it, you can do it.  Walt Disney

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Knitting

My Winter Tonic

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TRENDING NOW (what’s that mean anyway?)

Any time one of us had the droops or doldrums, especially in winter,  my grandmother always said we needed a tonic.  She never gave us a tonic, just said one was needed, which was probably a good thing since when I hear the word tonic, I think of cod liver or castor oil, both of which are off the scale on the official Disgust-O-Meter.  My own personal winter tonic is this:

Take one cold and cloudy day

Add a nice fire and some knitting

Mix in a couple of grands, chocolate milk and cookies

Monitor closely as not to miss anything

and

Watch your contentment rise

Repeat as often as necessary

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

The Papoose Gives the Sprout a Clean Bill of Health

ON THE NEEDLES

I’ve done very little knitting the last day or so, still working on the second Phloem Sock; I did remember that I promised a quick show and tell of the Metalico yarn that The Yarn Mart ordered for me and it’s more beautiful than I remembered –

 

Here are the stats:

Metalico

Blue Sky Alpaca

50% baby Alpaca and 50% raw silk

All natural/No dyes

Gold Dust

This is going to transform into Sarah Smuland’s Etched Rio Wrap and I can’t wait to get started.  The softness and shimmer of this yarn is amazing.  Check out the Blue Sky Alpaca website for a look at the pattern.

POP THE QUESTION

What’s your favorite winter tonic?

The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.  Tony Robbins

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Knitting

Get your WIP, Get your WIP Wednesday here! – 1/23/13

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ON THE NEEDLES

This week’s WIP Wednesday offering is the second Phloem sock from Knitty, using Shibui Sock that I’ve named Sand and Sky.  I loved the way the first sock took shape, with a botanical bent and so I was probably a tad bit over confident when I cast on the second.  I just dove right in, not an unusual plan for me.  After all, I finally had the pattern down and what the stitch key showed, right?  So, last night, about two inches into it, I went back just to review something in the pattern and noticed that I’d completely forgotten to do the cuff.  I waffled about just forging ahead and pretending it was OK but I just couldn’t, I knew it would bug me just knowing it was supposed to have a cuff but didn’t, so I frogged and started over.  I can rest easy now.  Yes, sometimes I tend to have a perfectionistic streak a mile wide and sometimes it serves me well, like last night.  So here’s the do-over.

THE GRANDS

Remember Babysis, the Papoose’s baby sister? Well, I changed her name from Babysis to Alfalfa Sprout, as in Our Gang/The Little Rascals.  She has a huge, no holds barred cowlick on the crown of her head that is so freakin’ cute I almost can’t stand it.  I just thought that Sprout was a better fit than Babysis.  See what I mean?

I wasn’t kidding, was I?

THE GREAT WASHING MACHING CRISIS

It’s over, it’s really, finally over – at least until another appliance gives up the ghost.  Got my new, fancy washing machine delivered and hooked up.  I think I did at least 15 loads that first day.  Man, does laundry pile up or what?!  Mr. Iknead laughed when I took a picture to share.  I think he thinks posting pictures of washing machines is a little odd, but I tend to blog things that I’m happy about and things that interest me and I’m definitely both about my new washer.  I think it’s very handsome, myself.  To each his own.

NOT ON THE NEEDLES, YET

The Yarn Mart just called and said my special order yarn, Metalico Gold Dust, has arrived so I’m hot-footing over to pick it up.  Pictures and description later, it’s calling my name.

Want more WIP Wednesday?  Check out Tami’s Amis, you can’t miss.

You never truly understand something, until you can explain it to your grandmother.  Albert Einstein

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Knitting

Happiness is

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watching Finding Nemo with the Papoose, drinking a cup of fancy coffee, while it’s so cold out that I don’t even feel guilty for not taking a walk. Just in case you’re curious, it’s 27 degrees F and sleeting here in the duck and rice capitol of the world. Stuttgart, Arkansas for the still curious. Babysis is sleeping in her swing and has been for the last hour or so, Bigmommy is taking advantage of my extra pair of hands and is taking a well deserved nap and as I already mentioned, the Papoose and I are watching Finding Nemo and sharing a piece of cake. Does it get better than this? Not in my world or probably yours either.

BABYSIS

Annabelle aka Babysis was baptized yesterday and charmed Rev. Arnold by grinning at him the whole time. Needless to say, he joined the rest of us who are under her spell. She wore the family christening gown and by my count is #5. The first being her mommy, Lindsey aka Bigmommy.

Before church, hanging out with Papa aka Mr. Iknead

Life is good.

Familiar acts are beautiful through love. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Knitting

Slow Day

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WHAT’S UP

Nothing, absolutely nothing.  Sitting here, waiting for the electricians to arrive to finish work so I decided to use the time constructively, blogging.  Today is Old People Day at the grocery store, so at some point I’m going for groceries when I can get the Old Person Discount.  Jeez, that’s something I never thought I’d say.  I guess I thought that when I reached a certain age (never determined), time would stop and I’d be that never determined age forever.  However, it hasn’t stopped and I haven’t stopped either, 55 years old at last check.  Young at heart, that would be me.

ON THE NEEDLES

I started a new project yesterday, from a book I received as a gift last year, which I’d misplaced a couple of months ago.  The book is Boutique Knits 20+ Must-Have Accessories.  I started the Sideways Grande Hat, using yarn that I repurposed from an infinity scarf which was much, much too long and heavy.  I think it’s Cascade 220 but I’m not sure.  I just love the mauvey, heathery color and its softness.

It’s a little more on the pink side in real life.

THE GRANDS

Annabelle aka Babysis is set to be baptized next Sunday, 01/13/13 and I’m planning to stay an extra couple of days.  Looking forward to giving Bigmommy a hand for a while.  Babysis isn’t a great sleeper, so she and Bigdaddy aren’t getting as much sleep as they would like.  Poor Babysis being compared to the Papoose, who slept through the night at six weeks and is still a great sleeper.  Babysis is only three months old, so I expect that here pretty soon she’ll start sleeping longer and longer through the night and everyone’s attitude will get better.  At least she’s not colicky!

The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.  Sam Levenson (1911-1980)

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Knitting

OK, OK, I’m blogging already!

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WHAT’S UP

I been neglecting my blog the past week or so, I’ve been so busy, wrapping up Christmas stuff, attending the grands’ Christmas pageant (more about that in a second) and just acclimating myself to real retirement.  It’s a big change, believe me, but I’m getting into the swing of things.  Even though I can’t seem to sleep past about 6:30 a.m., just taking my time with the newspaper and coffee is a continuing happy.  I’m busy, don’t think I’m sitting around watching soaps and eating bon-bons.  I’m baking (which is different from cooking), cooking, visiting my mom, knitting (lots of it) and reading.  I love retirement – I think more people should try it! ; )

THE GRANDS’ PAGEANT

The Papoose and Babysis were in their first Christmas pageant on Wednesday evening.  The Papoose was an angel (no surprise there) and Babysis stepped up as the Baby Jesus.  The sweetest things ever!  We did have a tiny bump in the performance when Angel Papoose turned around, saw the audience and immediately had a small meltdown,  crying very pitiously until Bigmommy took her down from the stage and she came to sit (on the front row of course) with Grandmary, Pops, Pawpaw and me.  Best. Angel. Ever.

Two seconds and counting down pre-meltdown!

In the green room before her big entrance

Babysis rocked it out as the Baby Jesus, sleeping through the whole thing and being all the more precious because of it.

Showing off her new smile with Bebe (that’s me)

FUNNY THING ABOUT TIME

It flies.  The holidays are nearly upon us and it feels (at least to me) like we just wrapped up Christmas 2011 a week or so ago, relaxing and telling each other that “this was the best Christmas ever”.  We’ll say it again in about a week, vowing that nothing could top Christmas 2012, what with two babies on their first Christmas and one who’s just getting the hang of presents and Santa.  The wonder never leaves me, I’m blessed.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.  who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.  Carl Jung

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Knitting

FO Friday 12/7/12

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OFF THE NEEDLES

Adamas shawl, as modeled by Babymama aka Katie

Babymama was such a good sport, standing in the rain and chilly temp to model for me.  Is she a great DIL or what?  BTW, This is a Knitty pattern.  Love Knitty, my go to when I need inspiration.

THE GRANDS

Bigmommy called last evening to give us a heads up that the Papoose is going to be in the church’s Christmas Pageant on December 19.  No surprise, she’s going to be an angel.  Can’t wait to see her with her wings.  All this with proper documentation (read pictures and videos ad nauseam to anyone but family), of course.  NOTE:  Wiki defines ad nauseam as “A Latin term for something that has continued to the point of nausea”.

IN THE OVEN

Today’s the day that I get serious about Christmas baking.  It’s been a tradition for years that I start my holiday baking with pumpkin bread with cream cheese spread for friends, with the recipient list growing longer and longer.  I think I ended up baking about 30 loaves last year.  It goes without saying that that’s a LOT of pumpkin and pecans/walnuts.  Lucky for me, I have a hook up for pecans for about half of what they go for in the grocery store, shelled and ready to use.  If you haven’t bought pecans recently, they cost about $8.00 a pound in the store.  I scored ten pounds for $38.00 and can’t help gloating a little.  Pecan pie, anyone?

For more FO Friday offerings, check out Tami Ami’s blog, it’s loaded with FO goodness.

At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.  Thomas Tusser

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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 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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