News Flash - swifts are SWIFT!!

Hello, My dear Daddy made me a swift because he knows that I hate tangles in my yarn. And what a swift it is!! Isn't it beautiful??




I think he should go into the swift business, don't you??

I'm sorry I don't have an action shot, I must admit I swifted/wound all my hanks into balls this weekend. You know how it is with a brand new toy.

Hubby says he is happy because it means a reduction in swearing around the apartment by 45%.

Also - tonight I plotted my herb garden. And by garden I mean container garden, since all I have is my porch which is approximately 4X5 ft.

I'm planting Rosemary, mint, basil, cilantro and dill. All of my favorites. Come on over this summer and I'll make you a pot of mint tea. And an omelet or (if I learn how) quiche! Or herb Roasted Chicken! The possibilities are endless, really. And I know I won't keep all these plants, but isn't half the fun giving away little seedlings?

So here are my little babies:

And while I know seeds are small (duh) I didn't expect mint seeds to be so itty bitty!!

Here is a dime illustrating the tiny-ness of my seeds. The biggest seed, to the upper left is Cilantro, then right below the "n" in "One" is the Rosemary seed. The seed underneath the "m" of "dime" the basil seed and to the right of the word "America" is the dill seed. The if you look all the way to the right... all by itself... that blurry little thing is the mint seed. So tiny!!

Well that is all that is new here. Tomorrow rain. Luckily the seeds are happily inside.

So, Exciting Day!!!!

Okay, first you have to go see what Susan posted Here on Her BLOG
No, Seriously. Go over there and see what she posted. Click on the purple words "Check this out" on her blog. Then come back here.

It is so funny that she posted that today. Maybe she is psychic.

My blog will be here when you get back.

Okay, so Danes are the happiest people on Earth.
Who is second closest to the happiest people on Earth?

The people who go visit the happiest people have got to be pretty darn happy too, right?

So - Guess What!! We're going to Denmark this fall!!!!
How exciting is that?!?!?!? Hubby has a conference to go to. And so I'm going to buy a ticket to go too! We learned it was a go today!!

I even started a countdown on my calendar.
Now I have to go do some research on Denmark!

Hey Everyone!

Weird day today - Still very cloudy and gloomy - it's like the 5th or 6th gloomy day in a row.

Not a whole lot new here. I had a Red Cross volunteer recognition last night to go to, they did a fabulous job transforming the room into a castle - with candle light and the whole nine yards. It was really nice.

Today on the commuter bus there was a guy drinking beer. Not the usual classy commuter behavior. I heard the guy pop the top and I thought, is someone drinking a soda! That's totally forbidden!! And then I thought, maybe the guy's diabetic. But then I saw the can - Natural Ice. hmm. I am pretty sure I haven't drank a beer at 7:45am since college. (or, um, ahem, not even then, Hi Mom and Dad! Nice of you to read my blog!)

Come to think of it, I think I drank some Natural Light (aka Natty light). I guess that brand just is the best for crazy beer drinking mornings.

Anyway. That is really all. I don't have much to say about the VT shooting. It is very sad. The poor kid, the poor kids... as a former College Instructor, I can say that I really feel for them all. It's a nightmare.

Rain Rain Go Away

Well, the weekend is quite a bust! Horrible weather. I guess it is nice to stay in... but it would have been nice to go out for a weekend hiking and camping! Shoot. At this rate we won't get to use the tent until June! What is up with the weather?!?!?

Harland has been gone on business trips lately - 2 weeks in a row he was gone. You know with all the Army wife training I had, you would think 2 weeks would have been totally painless... but still I missed the guy. Not the soundtrack CD (which has been played once so far since he came home) but the rest of him I miss.

Amy asked me "what do I do when he's gone?". I didn't want to say before he came back in case there is some crazy blog stalker out there.... luckily no business trips int he future.

There are several things I like to do when he's gone:
1. Eat in front of the TV
2. Eat ridiculous combinations like popcorn and sushi for dinner. Actually eat things he doesn't really like. Like KimBap. And Soup.
3. I like to sleep in. He's a big fast waker-upper. I take more after my dad. I like to set the alarm waaaay before I have to get up and read in bed until I have to get up.
4. Watch girly movies.

okay so that is what I've done in the last few weeks.

And also, I think I've posted on here that I want to become healthier... so I have a new goal here on the blog. I joined Weight Watchers this week on Wednesday, so I'll let you know how that goes. With Harland "I can eat anything, and eat it is super large quantities" as my hubby I totally have gained weight. And I know that WW is a solid way to lean how to eat proper portions and better food. And I know it is something that you can eat real food and learn how to make good choices. My first goal is 19 pounds. unfortunately I have gained so much weight that I'll have to have a 2nd goal once I reach that. :( But that is okay, you can't be perfect every day of your life, so it's important what direction you move in, right?

Don't worry, this isn't going to turn into a weight loss blog or anything, I just wanted to tell you what is up. And that is about it.

A new post!

Alert the media! A new Post! Holy Cow!

Anyway, I have been knitting dishcloths mostly. In a regular old crazy frenzy of circular dishcloths. Other than that I have not been knitting. It was a rough week here this week. But whew, it is now Saturday so I can relax.

I had to order some new needles this morning (yay Knitpicks!) and so when those get here I will start on SOMEONE's Birthday Present. I am doubting it will be done by her birthday in middle May, but maybe, just maybe I'll get it out on time. I can't post progress pictures here because she is one of my (very few) readers. :)

I've decided I just can't knit presents for people. It's like birthday cards. I am no good at getting it done on time. In fact I still have yet to mail Ms. Amy's birthday present because I need to pack the package better because I am afraid something will break (I knitted in Ceramics, just kidding. But really, her present is breakable). What I knitted her will no longer be useful in Florida, that season has passed... but maybe she can use it next year (hi Amy!).

So I don't know. Hell is paved in good intentions as they say. I guess from now on I should just knit as it comes and goes and not promise anything and then people will be surprised if they get something knitted. I haven't had the chance to knit as much recently due to working and commuting and all that jazz. And sometimes I am tired and don't want to knit at night. It is sad. But true.

Anyway, enjoy your weekend Folks! Hope that you do not get too much snow! We have what looks like about a dusting to a half inch on the grass and the cars, but the pavement is pretty clear. although it is still very grey outside and we may get more. Poor flowers... they all came out earlier this week, and it was 80 degrees on Tuesday!!!

Loves and hugs!

P.S. I know I just ordered them, but I hope my new needles come soon!!!!!!

Marriage V Single

So a few of my single friends have expressed to me recently that they wish they had someone...
someone to cuddle during movies and football games...
someone who was always there to pick one up from the airport...
someone to love forever and ever...

But I have to admit every once and a while, I miss being single.
Free to, let's say, take a bath by candle light...
as long as I wanted...
with the hottest of water...

And not have the following playing on the stereo in the other room on a loud level:
1. The theme song from Magnificent Seven
2. The theme song from Superman
3. The Olympic Theme song...

Now I'm not saying that the songs are bad songs, they're great.
They're just not my top choice of bath music. Especially since I have already heard them in the car today.

Hubby made a mix CD today - movie theme songs. Sigh.

Some FOs and other Pictures

Hello!!
First here is the picture of my shortbread cookies...

And here is where I am with Harland's Sock:

I don't like the way it shows all tension problems... and the way I knitted it the part that was the side is now down the front.... Oh well.

Now, Dad if you are reading this, you can't show the rest of this blog entry to mom...
I've knitted Mom some washcloths and am planning on getting some nice soap to round out the gift when I go to visit them in a few weeks (them meaning my dear parents, not the washcloths, I, um, currently live with the washcloths) Here they are!


I really enjoyed making this round one. I see many in my future. Which probably means someday there will be one in your future. :) Here is the link to the pattern if you can't wait for me:
Click Here
However, reading that pattern is a little annoying if you (like me) take your knitting on buses and subways and don't want to carry paper instructions. So I devised an easier way to remember the pattern:

Instead of counting the stitches left and turning...
the first 3 even rows follow the YO with K11 then turn
then Bind off 3sts, knit 2, Yo then K8, turn
the next 2 even rows - after the YO K8
then Bind off 3, knit 2, Yo then K5, turn
the next 2 even rows - after the YO K5
Bind off three, knit across



This is the ballband cloth from Mason Dixing Knitting - I'm big fans, their website is over on my side bar -------> My dearest KB sent me their Book; and here's an article about this pattern (pattern included)


This last one is pure Jessica... Just your everyday seed stitch with a few rows of garter stitch in between.