Knitting

Weekend Recovery

July 17, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

I COULD GET USED TO THIS

We spent another weekend basking in the grandma and grandpa nirvana, celebrating DD birthday with family. DSIL’s parents have a lovely home here in Little Rock, complete with a pool and are more than generous. They split their time between the beach house in Florida and the palace here in Little Rock, they’re in Florida at the moment but like I said, are more than generous and let us enjoy their home and pool even when they’re out of pocket. So, mix me, Mr. Iknead, the Papoose, Babydiva, corresponding parents, DD’s BFF, her husband and their three kids and what happens? Everyone gets waterlogged, tired and hungry while at the same time having a blast, eating junk food until burgers are ready, more than wired on Coke, then almost falling asleep in their plates when it’s finally supper time and that’s just the grownups. : )

Mr. Iknead took about a million pictures, here’s a few:

How sweet is the Papoose’s bathing suit? Pretty sweet!

View of the golf course from the pool

Cutest back view ever!

ON THE NEEDLES

So far (don’t want to jinx it) the newest version of the 9 to 5 socks is going well. Here’s a quick peek –

BY THE BOOK

Still sitting on go for The 36 Hour Day, I’ve not had time to do any real book browsing, again, I still can’t make up my mind about a Nook book or a paper one. I do love real books but love the convenience of my Nook. Maybe I should flip a coin?

When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion. Ethiopian proverb

Knitting

Well that sucks take 2

July 13, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

AS AN ASIDE

I seem to be having challenges in other areas, not just the 9 to 5 socks. So, I hit publish instead of scrolling down.

ON THE NEEDLES, TAKE TWO

Where was I? I frogged the whole sock and recast on, intent on this being the last time. This is what I have so far-

BY THE BOOK

I’ve been sort of in a rut as far as my reading is concerned, I’ve just not found anything that really piques my interest, but I am getting ready to start The 36 Hour Day, a recommended read from a friend. This book deals with dementia, my mother is in a nursing home suffering with this; the past couple of months or so, she’s had a more rapid decline. My friend has gone through the same thing, she said it’s a really easy, informative read, so it’s gone to the top of my reading list.

COMING UP

Yesterday was my daughter’s 32nd birthday and they are coming to Little Rock today to officially celebrate. As usual, I can’t wait to see the Papoose. Today is dinner out at her fav restaurant, tomorrow is swimming and a cookout with friends. So, Mr. Iknead is taking the afternoon off from work and we will spend a fun couple of days with all our chicks back in the nest. Love having them an hour away instead of three.

Life is good.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats

Knitting

Got Back

July 9, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT WE DID

Our trip to Stuttgart aka the Duck and Rice Capitol of the World to check out the Papoose’s new digs was amazing. The parsonage was really nice, if a little dated, with big rooms and a great backyard, the Papoose is really loving it, lots of running room. It’s right across the street from the church, so they can just walk over. The congregation was very welcoming and warm and put on an awesome potluck after church. I suppose I should mention that the church I’m going on about is Grand Avenue United Methodist, in Stuttgart, Arkansas and my best son in law, Clefton Vaughan, is the new pastor.

Susannah Grace aka the Papoose

Babydiva aka Harper with her Uncle Clefton

As usual, when we all get together (forgot to mention that Babydiva and her entourage was also there), a good time was had by all, with everyone talking at the same time, someone looking for a snack most of the time and, of course, paying homage to the Papoose and Babydiva, the prettiest and smartest girls ever.

It was hot so Mr. Iknead and the Papoose took a dip in the pool, where the Papoose made sure that her Papa was well watered, pouring water over his head from a watering can. Cutest thing ever!

ON THE NEEDLES

I don’t really want to talk about it, it’s painful you know, but I frogged back about four inches of heel flap and sock leg on the 9 to 5s. I still haven’t a clue where the wheels came off, I looked and looked, and counted and counted, never figured it out. Fresh start on the heel flap tonight after work. Frustration doesn’t look good on me, so I hope to get it straightened out so I can move on.

Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes. John Dewey

Knitting

July 5

July 5, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m happy to report that Wingspan is finished and I can stop feeling guilty about the Nine to Five socks that have been on the “as soon as I finish ________” list and they’re now first in line.

Here’s Wingspan

And to prove that yes, it does take just one skein, here’s what is left after binding off

This quite possibly could be the only green grass in Little Rock. It’s been something like 22 days since we’ve had any measurable precipitation, according to Barry Brandt, weatherman whiz and if lawns don’t get watered every day, they get brown and crunchy. As far as I can tell, we have no real chance 0f rain until Saturday or Sunday, if then. But I digress…

I think I’ll block it tomorrow since Mr. Iknead and I are making a trip to see the Papoose (and her mom and dad, of course).

A quick look at the Nine to Fives –

HAPPYS

Coffee with fancy creamer, Josie the Pug, books and babies.

BY THE BOOK

I’m nearly finished with Inconceivable, an excellent, excellent book, and have Tom Franklin’s Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter waiting to be started. Looks like a really great read and I’m excited to get into it.

I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. Oscar Wilde

Knitting

Back Home

June 14, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

The Maidenhair Fern socks have been reborn as Nicole Hindes’ Nine-To-Five Socks. This picture is not the best, the stitch detail isn’t great, but tomorrow I’ll take the WIP sock outside, the lighting will be a million times better that it is at 8:35 p.m. in my bedroom. I’m using size one circulars and am much happier with a tighter stitch and overall smaller size.

A better picture tomorrow, I promise.

A DUH MOMENT

I can’t believe that I spent an entire hour trying to figure out why pictures taken from my iPhone are on their sides when I e-mail them or try to post them. Also, I can’t believe that the solution to that problem is to turn the phone on its side horizontally first, then take the picture. Duh. Occam’s Razor once again proves correct: “when you have two competing theories that make exactly the same predictions, the simpler one is the better”, also known as Keep It Simple.

HOME SWEET HOME

As much fun as the Girl Power 2012 get-together was, I was so happy to get home to Mr. Iknead and JosiePug yesterday. A great time was had by all but when the Papoose (usually so happy-go-lucky and go with the flow) had three meltdowns in ten minutes, I knew it was time to pack it up and take it back on the road to Little Rock. We rolled back into LR about 5 p.m.; Babydiva needed a bottle STAT and thankfully, we had called ahead and Babydaddy had one waiting. Babydiva was getting ready to more than live up to her name by the time we got home. Hell hath no fury and all that.

It is necessary for us to learn from others’ mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself. Hyman George Rickover

Knitting

Girl Power 2012

June 12, 2012June 12, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

GOINGS ON
Just a quick post while the other girls are napping. Babymama, Babydiva and I just got in from a little shopping up on the square. Naturally, I ducked into Handheld and fed my addiction with some Araucania Huasco. It’s lovely and I’m thinking Wingspan shawl.

THE GRANDS
Are wonderful as always. The Papoose and Babydiva adore each other and we’ve got some really sweet pictures. Won’t even try to post them until I’m back in Little Rock.

WHAT’S FOR SUPPER
I think it’s to be catfish but that could change at any moment. Anything but fast food.

There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company, from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else. Sam Walton

Knitting

Road Trip

June 11, 2012June 11, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE ROAD

Babydiva, Babymama and I are taking a road trip to Fayetteville to see the Papoose and family, to help amuse the Papoose while her mama is busy packing and sorting. The plan at this moment is for us to leave for F’ville right after Babydiva’s morning feeding, hoping that she will take her usual nap while in the car, trying very hard to keep her regular schedule. Yeah, yeah, the best laid plans and all, but 100% achievable I’m convinced. For this very first girly road trip, Babydiva has splurged on a new bathing suit, modeled below. She is really playing the diva on this one.

ON THE NEEDLES

I usually try to stay at least a little monogymous with my projects but at the moment I have a pair of socks, a baby hat, a French Market Basket that has to be felted and a lacy wrap for when my arms get a little chilly, in church for example. All going right along. Sorry for no pics, in Fayetteville, strange computer and all, I just don’t want to spend time figuring out how to post them.

ON THE ROAD (continued)

Babydive was a great passenger. We made one bathroom stop and we were quickly back on the road. The eat/sleep plan worked like a charm.

OK, this unfamiliar keyboard is giving me fits, I’m wrapping it up quickly. Tomorrow, there will be pictures.

Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better. John Updike

Knitting

Frog?

June 5, 2012June 5, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

The Maidenhair Fern socks have been have been in time out for a week or so; I decided to try the first one on and it is enormous. Enormous as in two feet at the same time. You know that little voice inside your head (in mine at least) that always tries to give a heads up when something is going off track? I finally decided to give it a short listen and by golly, these socks are way, way too big for me; so big that I know of no one that they would fit. Now, should I frog or go around staring at people’s feet, hoping I’ll find a match, sort of like Cinderella? I offered them to Mr. Iknead, but he says the yarn is too “girly” (it’s teal, pink and purple).

THE GRANDS

Here’s the latest pic of the Papoose at the pool. Did I mention that she looooves the water?

IN THE OVEN

Look! My fancy new silicone pans are here! I’m totally making the cute apple cakes Friday. I love them and think they’re very photogenic!

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul. Joseph Addison

Knitting

WIP Wednesday

May 30, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

Here is my WIP for this week. I know it doesn’t really look like anything yet but you’ll just have to take my word for it, it’s a Cat Hat for a baby, with little ears. This is in anticipation of the Papoose’s new baby brother or sister, estimated arrival first week on October.

Thanks to Adel’s Knit and Craft 2011 and Ravelry for the free pattern.

IN THE OVEN

Yesterday I got my first issue of The Baking Sheet, a King Arthur Flour publication, of recipes, both sweet and savory. One that particularly piques my interest is Coconut Coffeecake. Oops, I forgot about the apple cakes I never got around to doing over the holiday, with the eggs that were in and out of the revolving door (seemingly) of my fridge. Maybe by Saturday, my new silicone pans will be here. I hope so. I’m excited to try them out.

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent of no birds sang there except those that sang best. Henry Van Dyke

Knitting

The one where I figured out

May 27, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

Update

fonts. Really, though, I have no freakin’ idea about computer code, don’t know what it is, don’t know how to write it and honestly, I don’t want to learn. So, I bought the WordPress Typekit and it magically worked and now I have fonts. I like it.

In the Oven

I’m still baking like a crazy woman. Today, it was Salted Caramel Nutella Brownies, which I pulled from vittlesandbits.blogspot.com, from Pinterest.. They’re the ultimate brownie, chewy, chocolately and the caramel glaze puts them completely over the top. I was going to post a picture, but they are very gooey and haven’t been photogenic at all today, I think I’ll try heating the knife a bit next on the next try.

By the Book

My current read(s) are The Daughter’s Walk , by Jane Kirkpatrick and I am Forbidden: A Novel, by Anouk Markovits. Both are somewhat of a departure from my usual reads, I lean more toward nonfiction, but these books just may change my reading habits a little. These are going to be repeaters, I think.

The Papoose

Here’s Susannah blowing out her birthday candles last weekend, from a bakery in Fayetteville called Rick’s. It was as pretty as it was delicious and she got both of them on her first try!

OK, so the fonts aren’t perfect, but I’m learning.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. Henry David Thoreau

Knitting

The one where I start to tweak

May 26, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

my blog a little bit. It had become a little bit stale (to me) and after browsing other blogs and looking at different layouts, I decided to try a new one on for size. I like the idea of headings, so I’m going to take test drive that too.

On The Needles

Still working on Maidenhair Fern socks, I’m nearly finished with the first sock, about an inch from starting to decrease for the toe. Is it just me or does any other knitter feel like the last few inches on a project seem to last forever and just when project burnout is threatening, all of a sudden, the magic row appears and that particular part or project is finished. Is it some sort of tear in the space time continuum or something?

The Papoose

Susannah and family celebrated her second birthday a week ago last Saturday (again with the space time continuum, I swear it was just last month that we were relearning the art of baby swaddling and burping) and a good time was had by all. Four two year old girls, two wading pools, a picnic and a birthday cake sounds like a recipe for disaster, but everybody played nice and left smiling.