Tag: Susannah

Knitting

What’s up

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COMING UP

Three months ago or so I had to have a tooth pulled and tomorrow morning I’m scheduled to have the first stage of a dental implant to take its place. I’ll be glad to get the ball rolling on this, even though where my tooth was isn’t noticeable, I hate having that empty space. It hurts when I forget not to chew on that side (how does anyone who is toothless and without dentures eat anything??) and just feels odd.

THE GRANDS

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Babydiva

The Papoose

Babysis

Our precious babies! The Papoose is coming for an overnight tomorrow and Saturday and I have a Susannah grocery list going, with her fave foods. I am trying to keep the junk food to a minimum but I confess, I love it as much as she does, so along with stuff like yogurt, Cheerios and fruit, there’s instant mac and cheese, Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream and chocolate milk. Can’t wait!

BY THE BOOK

I’m very much immersed in

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

Evening with the grands

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THE GRANDS

Bigdaddy and bigmommy are out celebrating their sixth anniversary so guess what Mr. Iknead and I are doing. That’s right- we have baby duty! Here’s 2/3 of the grands:

Continue reading “Evening with the grands” →

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

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 –

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Told you it was orange

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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

Weekend Recovery

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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:

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

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View of the golf course from the pool

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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

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Knitting

Well that sucks take 2

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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-

Nine to Five Socks Take Two

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

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Knitting

Got Back

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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.

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Susannah Grace aka the Papoose

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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

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Knitting

Girl Power 2012

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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.

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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

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