Random

How Hot Is It??

July 22, 2020July 21, 2020 mud&stringLeave a comment

It’s so hot that even thinking of working with wool yarn makes me break into a sweat, even with the thermostat is set on Arctic Circle and the ceiling fans are set to airplane propeller speed. All my knitting WIPs that are wooly are on hold for now. I can’t work up any enthusiasm in my pottery studio either, trying to get caught up on glazing and firing at 3 a.m. when it’s at least bearable to be in the garage/studio. 🥵🥵🥵

Still and all, I feel blessed – me and mine are all happy and healthy, the Bangkok bunch got back home to America to stay after five years of perpetual summer without hitch one, self quarantined for two weeks and came out the other side still healthy and still happy. God is good.

The photo I planned to post is missing in action, but I came across one taken a couple of winters ago and is something to look forward to………

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. John Lennon

Knitting

All is Calm/WIP Wednesday 12/26/12

December 26, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT’S HAPPENING

A day out from Christmas and like I said before, it was the best Christmas ever. We had the three grands, along with mommies and daddies yesterday and I couldn’t have wished for a better, happier, busier and all around more perfect day. More on the grands later, Mr. Iknead was chief paparazzi so he’ll have to get the pics loaded onto the computer so I, in turn, can get them to Flickr and then share.

OUTSIDE

Did I mention that we had a real, live, only once in 80 years according to the weatherdude white Christmas? Just in case I didn’t, it began raining, which in turn changed to freezing rain, then sleet and then finally, snow, starting about 2 p.m. yesterday. I’m not a great estimator of stuff but I’m pretty sure we have at least 6-8 inches on the ground. Thank you God that we didn’t lose power like so many others did. I think Mr. Iknead and I ran ten miles back and forth, looking out various windows, just to watch the snow fall. Because the snow came in on the heels of an ice storm, I’m sure the streets are very slick, with a sheet of ice under the snow. Grateful to have a warm house, with lights, hot water and heat; if we really want to feel like we’re roughing it, we build a big fire in the fireplace and take turns rearranging the logs and stuff to get maximum heat. Used to be a country chick, I guess now I’m more of a city chick. Still build a mean fire though. It must be like riding a bicycle, you never forget how. Here’s a few pics from yesterday and this morning.

Backyard last night

Front yard this morning

ON THE NEEDLES

OMG, I’ve been so distracted by the snow that I nearly forgot about WIP Wednesday. A new pair of socks is in progress, Zigzag Lace from Vogue Knitting Ultimate Sock Book. Many moons ago I took a photo of the yarn I’m using, it’s called River Rock and I must be living right because here’s a pic –

Denali from Pagewood Farm

Merino Superwash/ Nylon

80/20

Zigzag Lace

Love WIP Wednesdays? Hop over to Tami Amis blog and check them out.

Stay tuned, more to follow.

With self-discipline, most anything is possible. Theodore Roosevelt

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 she’s

February 8, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

still obsessed with the weather. Snowmageddon is scheduled to descend around 1 a.m. tomorrow. Rats, all this means is that I’ll be up every hour on the hour to peek out the window and see what’s happening. I’m thinking snow day tomorrow just on lack of sleep alone, with checking and all. Patting myself on the back all afternoon for going to the store yesterday. Yes!

OK, I’m ready, got yarn, got computer, got food. Bring it on!

Reality continues to ruin my lift. Bill Watterson (1958 – )

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)

Knitting

A Snow Day

January 11, 2011 mud&stringLeave a comment

This lovely lady is my granddaughter, Susannah, on her very first Christmas morning. She is the apple of everyone’s eye and the center of attention where she happens to be. Seven months old and perfect. Christmas was the best in a long time, babies have their own magic I think.

Arkansas is digging out of a snowstorm that started yesterday right on schedule according to the TV weather people. They predicted snow would start falling around 3 pm and dang, if it didn’t. Here in Little Rock we got 6 inches more or less. When it snows this much, everything in the city pretty much grinds to a halt. The day before winter weather is predicted, everyone heads to the grocery store, whether they need to or not. By the time the weather arrives, the store shelves, especially bread and junk food, are bare. Crazy. Things should be getting back to normal tomorrow.

I started a Scarf -in-a-Scarf kit on Saturday and thought everything was going swimmingly until I reread the instructions and realized that I was totally off the count with the pattern, like knitting twice as many rows as I should have. The upshot is that I frogged the entire thing and started all over again. Note to self, always read through the pattern and keep referring to it as you go. Duh.

Today’s deep thought: Keep seeing the magic in life.