Tag: Papoose

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 10/24/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

I’m on the downhill side of Pretty Maids, I think I have about ten rows left to complete, bearing in mind, though, that these are long, long rows, approximately 350 stitches and increasing by two stitches each row.  I’m enjoying this second go round so much more than the first, I’m sure it’s because I’m not having to constantly check the pattern and the symbol guide.  It’s not flying off the needles by any stretch of the imagination, but it is moving faster this time.

BY THE BOOK

I finished Opium Fiend yesterday during my daily treadmill and have moved on to The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth by Alison Weir.  Very interesting, up to Anne Boleyn at the moment.  I’m finishing my books much slower than I’m adding them and they’re beginning to pile up, but I can’t resist a new book.  I keep telling myself that I’ll get caught up in December and January, when I’ve retired and the weather is too cold and nasty to be anywhere but inside by the fire. 

VIOLET

Lately I’ve become obsessed with everything violet and I’m blaming it all on getting my tat, which is a violet ball of yarn and knitting needles.  So last weekend, when I was prowling Goodwill, looking for odd and ends to craft with, I saw these and pounced –

They don’t match anything in my house – yet.  Is it over the top to paint a room around the color of a couple of candlesticks from Goodwill instead of the other way around?  It could totally happen.  My research tells me that people who are drawn to the color violet are usually nuclear physicists or performance artists.  That’s me in a nutshell.  OK, maybe not the physicist part, but performance artist?  Absolutely and I have embarrassing pictures to prove it.

THE GRANDS

The Papoose wants Babysis to sleep in her bed with her.  Bigmommy sent me this yesterday.

Susannah and Annabelle

Is this not the sweetest thing?

 No man is rich enough to buy back his past.  Oscar Wilde (see above paragraph)

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Knitting

Babies and baptisms

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WHAT WENT DOWN

Mr. Iknead and I had 2/3 of the grands in house this weekend, along with Bigdaddy and Bigmommy, and it was a million things all at once – exhausting (we’re not youngsters anymore no matter what we try to make you believe), exhilirating (try not to be excited by the prospect of a walk with a two year old or snuggles with a three week old), humbling (in the face of two year old wisdom, “because I don’t want to”) and joyful (just because).  Babydiva’s baptism was last evening and she handled it with her usual diva cool, not batting an eye when Monsignor poured the water over her head.  Mr. Iknead took pictures but hasn’t uploaded them yet.  I’m moving that to the top of his to do list and hopefully, I’ll have some to show in the next day or so.  Meanwhile, here’s the Papoose and Babysis –

The Papoose

Babysis

ON THE NEEDLES

After the drama with the Pretty Maids shawl last week, I ended up completely frogging it and starting over.  I realized the first go round was a trainwreck, bit the bullet and frogged.  This time, we’re getting along much, much better.  Will get a picture tomorrow in the sunshine.

RECAP

Babies

Baptism

Knit

Frog

Knit

Blog

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.  Before him, I may think aloud.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Knitting

The New Normal

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THE GRANDS

Our new normal finds us adding another granddaughter, Annabelle Kate, born September 23, 2012 and I’m liking it a lot.  The Papoose is very pleased to be a big sister (so far) and seems to be taking the changes in her kingdom in stride.  As she loves her cousin, Babydiva, like crazy, I expect she’ll feel the same about baby sister Annabelle.  Three baby girl grands is just about more than Mr. Iknead can take, he’s totally, completely, no turning back and all bets are off in love with them, separately and collectively.  Can’t smack the smile off his face.

Annabelle Kate

ON THE NEEDLES

Dropsy is finished, but really, I ran out of yarn and so made a design feature change from scarf to cowl.  The yarn was in the bargain bin at my LYS and I only had two skeins.  Too short for a real scarf, but perfect for a cowl, so, that’s what it is.

Dropsy cowl

IN THE OVEN

Sadly, nothing really, I’ve been too busy to do any baking, but I did try out a few new recipes when I was caretaking Annabelle and family.  One was a crockpot recipe of rice and porkchops, thanks to Grandmary, Chicken Broccoli Alfredo which was a Campbell’s soup recipe and lastly, something called Chili Mac Skillet.  I think Grandmary’s rice and porkchops won out, with the Alfredo a close second.

To be able to look back upon one’s life in satisfaction, is to live twice.  Kahlil Gibran

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Knitting

Enter Annabelle Kate

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THE GRANDS

Yes, babywatch has wound down and we welcomed Miss Annabelle Kate this morning at 10:59 a.m., weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 Ounces and 19 inches long.  She has all the deluxe equipment, ten fingers, ten toes and a headful of thick, black hair.  She’s beautiful (of course), is already nursing like a champ and seems to have it all under control.  The Papoose is excited to be a big sister and has been practicing on Babydiva today.  A  perfectly wonderful day.  Bigmama is no longer big, probably Mediummama for now, and is recovering well from this mornings c-section.

See what I mean by the hair?

PawPaw and Annabelle

I’m going to try my hardest to get more pics tomorrow and get them posted.  She’s precious and I’m very excited to start getting to know this little one.  Life is good.

ON THE NEEDLES

Dropsy scarf is coming right along, not much done on it for obvious reasons.  I’ll get a picture of it and the Bonfire shawl that I started yesterday.  I think they’re both coming along nicely.

Life is an echo.   What you send out–you get back.  What you give–you get.  Anonymous

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Knitting

ACK!!!

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NEED SPRAY AND WASH STAT!

Somehow this morning my skirt (which happens to be my current favorite) got hung up in one of the wheels on my chair.  I had to just yank it out, but fortunately, it didn’t rip.  What did happen is that it has grease or something on it.  Pray that it will come out with a little elbow grease and stain remover this evening as soon as I get home.  Arghhhhhhh!

 BY THE BOOK

I finally finished my treadmill book, The Last Romanov, yesterday.  Enjoyed it for what it was – fiction not even trying to pass for nonfiction.  Now I’m shopping for another treadmill book, maybe Nicholas and Alexandra, in keeping with my current Russia/Romanov obsession.  I read this a long, long time ago, when books were always made of paper and if not bought, were checked out of the library, with a signature and stamped date so you’d know when it return it.  The olden days I suppose.  Nicholas and Alexandra it is.

   ON THE NEEDLES (STILL)

The Dropsy scarf has undergone a few changes, I added a few more stitches to widen it and am much happier with the way it looks.  I took this pic this a.m. in natural light and the color is much truer than last weeks photo.

THE GRANDS

Still on babywatch at the Papoose’s house.  Unless Bigmama goes into labor before hand, this time next Wednesday, we should have a  brand new grand to show off.   Bigmama’s WIP will become a FO!  (sorry, a little knitting humor there).

Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom.  It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.  Herman Hesse

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 09/12/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

A dropped stitch scarf that I’ve christened Dropsy.

Dropsy

Strangely, it’s not bluish, it’s pink.  Just use your imagination, please.

THE GRANDS

Bigmama still gestating, the Papoose is still two and the cutest thing on the planet and Babydiva is still growing like a weed.   Can’t wait to meet the newest grand!

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.  Love them anyway.  Mother Teresa

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Knitting

Look what I got!

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SOMETHING NEW

Ok, a couple of months ago I decided, out of the blue one afternoon, that I desperately needed a tattoo.  Never had one, don’t know where the idea came from, but it was a must-do and the quicker the better.  I suppose I’ve always been adventurous, I’ve had a couple of piercings and such, but never a tat.  So, I started researching and looking at different designs on the internet, soft of fell in love with a couple, but really never hard enough that I wanted to wear from here on out.  Then, I found a design of a ball of yarn with knitting needles and totally, madly fell in love with it.  After settling on the design and color, all I had to do was nerve myself up and get inked.  This part only took about three weeks, but Friday was the perfect day (don’t know what made it perfect) to get a first tat so I marched myself to my local tattoo parlor, consulted with a (now my) artist, ponied up the money and am now the proud wearer of a beautiful tat that I’m totally in love with.  Unveilling……drum roll please…..

I love the color violet so it was a must.  I did a little research also on different colors and what they represented.  One thing I learned was the people who are drawn to violet tend to be creative, sensitive and serene.  Plus I just think it’s a pretty color.  Here’s where I put in a shameless plug for 7th Street Tattoo and Salon.  Awesome shop, made me, a 55 year old grandma feel welcome and comfortable.  I enjoyed the whole experience.  I think their website is www.7thStreettattoo.com  A guy I work with said I was finally showing off my badass self with a knitting tattoo.  Anyway, I love it and am already planning my second one.

AS FAR AS THE GRANDS

Bigmama is still gestating and running after a 2 year old, so she’s pretty much resting during the Papoose’s nap time.  I was very surprised by her reaction to the tat, she right away said she loved it and thought it was totally “me”.

So that was my weekend.  Am planning my second one already, maybe somethin on my foot, but it will be a while before it actually happens.

So that’s what I did on my weekend.  I’d love to hear what others did on their weekends.

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday, 09/05/12

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THE GRANDS

The Papoose and fam got back from the beach Sunday, where they had a nearly front row seat to hurricane Isaac.  Luckily, he took a more westward course and they only had one day of rain and wind.  Glad to have them back in their nest, now awaiting the new baby on September 26.  Can’t wait, we don’t know the gender, Bigmama and Bigdaddy prefer to find out the old fashioned way, at birth.  I admit, though, while I really don’t have a preference, I do have a baby boy outfit stashed in my closet, just in case. : )  Here’s Bigmama gestating away –

ON THE NEEDLES

It’s WIP Wednesday and here’s the beginning of the Bauble shawl I’ve been going on about, with only one false start.  Oh gosh, hope I didn’t jinx it.  It’s going to be lovely, I can tell already.

The yarn (if I hadn’t already mentioned it) is Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Paint, 85% Merino Superwash Wool and 15% Mulberry Silk, color number 9801.  Since it has only a number, not a color name, I think I’ll call it Bonfire.  That’s what the colors make me think of.  I think everything should have an actual name and Bonfire fits.

BY THE BOOK

My treadmill book is The Last Romanov by Dora LevyMossanen, which is awesome even if you’re not obsessed with the whole Romanov/is Anastasia still alive mystery.  This book grabbed me and pulled me into it, to the point that I’m actually walking longer than usual, just because I have to know what happens next.  Love it.

IN THE OVEN

Last weekend we had a couple of days of cooler (relatively speaking) weather and so I satisfied my need to bake with a carrot cake for Mr. Iknead, which technically was an anniversary gift since last Friday, 09/01/12, marked our 33rd wedding anniversary.  Long time and we still like each other.  A funny about the cake – now, Mr. Iknead doesn’t have a real discerning palate when it comes to certain things;  so, I’m grating carrots, mixing and sifting for the cake and he says to me, “Could you put the good kind of cream cheese icing on it, you know, the kind that comes in a can?”  Cracked me up.  We call that keepin’ it real.

To be positive:  To be mistaken at the top of one’s voice.  Ambrose Bierce

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Knitting

Finished Jobs

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BY THE BOOK

I finished Steve Jobs yesterday, finally.  He may have been a genius, but apparently his interpersonal skills sucked.  Do the two go together, like ham and eggs or to quote Forrest Gump, peas and carrots?  I’m also reading The 36 Hour Day, a “how-to” book about Alzheimer disease and other types of dementia.  I wish I’d known about it when my mother was first diagnosed, I think it would have helped my dad and I know it would have helped me.  I suppose it’s a case of better late than never and I am learning things as I keep reading.

WHERE’VE YOU BEEN?

The above was entered five days ago, the 23rd to be exact.  I’m not a dutiful blogger over the weekend, I rarely even log on, but I do try to make some sort of entry on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings.  I was a little under the weather yesterday, I went in to work and was forced to holler calf rope around 11:30, went home and went to bed.  I had about a four hour nap and have been feeling better since.  So, that’s where I’ve been.

ON THE NEEDLES

The Crazy Monkeys have had two mishaps since I showed them last, first, I managed to somehow drop about a gazillion stitches Thursday evening and frogged them completely in a moment of madness.  Then, last night, Josie Pug took a flying leap onto my lap and pulled out one side of my magic loop completely.  It’s taken me a lot of time getting it back on track but I’m almost there.  Frustration incarnate.

THE GRANDS

The Papoose and family are in Destin at the beach house this week as a last hurrah before the new baby arrives.  Bigmama is scheduled for a C-section September 26.  As in, September 26, 2012.  Yeah, there’s a hurricane happening there and yeah, they knew the forecast before they left Arkansas.  They look like they’re having fun anyway –

And really, they’re not laying down for the photo, I just can’t figure out how to rotate it at the moment.

 Without music, life is a journey through a desert.  Pat Conroy

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Knitting

A Brisket, A Tasket

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NEW FOR ME

At last week’s grocery store outing, on a whim I decided to try out a precooked smoked brisket, one of those that just has to be heated, and I’m here to tell you, it. was. awesome.  Yeah, this is definitely on the Coleman Kitchen Hit Parade.  I’ve been making sandwiches for work all week and it’s so good!  I wish I’d tried it sooner, and it doesn’t get much easier than this.

THE GRANDS

The fam descended upon Stuttgart on Saturday and the Papoose was so proud to show off her new big girl bed and her newfound (sometimes) potty skills.  I especially like that she can inspect her toes and potty at the same time.  A born multitasker just like her bebe.

 

 

More toe action.

 

Babydiva has just discovered her feet and toes.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m still plugging along on the Crazy Monkeys, with one sock complete and about 1/3 of the way finished on its mate.   I caved and went to my lys and splurged on  some new yarn, enough for my newest, soon to be started project, Bauble, a First Fall Surprise from Knitty. Two skeins gray and totally out of character for me, two skeins of an orangy, makes you think of Thanksgiving, brown and gold mix.  Now, I don’t like orange, I don’t wear orange, I look like I have jaundice when I wear orange, but all the same, it called to me and I marched up to the counter with two skeins of it, deciding to think out of the box a little when it comes to color.  I’ll get pictures tonight. 

Here are the photos I promised –

yarma

Told you it was orange

yarma

Colorways and dye lots are posted on Flickr in my notebook.

The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking.  John Kenneth Galbraith

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BY THE BOOK

Still slogging through Steve Jobs, finishing it come hell or high water.  It’s been a very long listen, I think I’m just ready for something new.  Before I started the Jobs book, I reread King’s Dark Tower series and like always, I’m mesmerized by the story.  Maybe I’m just having a problem switching from fiction to nonfiction.

Knitting

Guilty as Charged

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RECENT OBSESSIONS

I’m coming clean – I’ve been way wwwaaayyy too involved with the Olympics, to the point of letting a few things slide, always thinking “as soon as the next commercial, I’m getting started on ________________.”  One of the things that I’ve gotten behind on is this blog.  So, I’ve admitted that I have a problem and that’s the first step to fixing something, right?

ON THE NEEDLES

I finished that 9 to 5 socks last week without a clear cut next up in the queue project and was doing that thing that I do when I’m at loose ends (is this a pun?) and just don’t know what to pick up next – the rummaging around in my stash, lots of heavy sighs and picking up years abandoned WIPs and tossing them aside, spending more time that I should cruising Ravelry looking at patterns and making promises to yarn and old projects that I have no intention of keeping.  That being said, I found some really nice yarn in my stash and found a random shawlette pattern, got it going and thanks to my Olympic obsession, started the bind off last night.

Summer Flies

Holly and Ella Knits

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Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette Briar

When I manage to get this project (along with Wingspan) blocked, I’ll make sure to get some close ups, Summer Flies has the sweetest picot bindoff ever.

THE GRANDS

No new pics of the Papoose, Bigmommy is too busy gestating and staying out of the over the top summer heat and Bigdaddy way busy with his new congregation, I think.  Here’s one of Babydiva that is so sweet!  Look how she has her head propped up on her little hand!!!  OMG, can’t stand it!

IN THE OVEN

Nothing, nyet, nada.  Too hot.  I miss baking, might have to cave, turn the AC down to polar bear and fire up the stove, summer heat be damned!

He who hurries cannot walk with dignity.  Chinese proverb

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Knitting

One Down

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ON AND OFF THE NEEDLES

Hurray!!  The first sock of the 9 to 5s is finished, here’s proof –

and the second one cast on with two pattern repeats finished.

THE GRANDS

Mr. Iknead and I didn’t see the Papoose over the weekend; we worked to get caught up with house chores we let slide the past few weekends to spend time with the grandbabies.  Here’s the Papoose immediately after chocolate ice cream.

 

I think Big-Mommy was running a bath even while she was still enjoying her ice cream.  Gotta say, she’s a girl after my own heart.  Don’t think I’ve every had ice cream where I didn’t end up wearing at least a tiny bit when I was finished.

Here’s one of the newest pics of Babydiva – She loves that Bumbo Seat!

IN THE OVEN

It’s been so hot here (108F on Friday) that the last thing I want to do is fire up the oven and bake.  I did fix supper on Friday for Babymama, Babydaddy and Babydiva and it took hours to get the house cool again.  Ice cream is about all I’m excited about right now (see above).  

The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity.  Ellen Parr

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