Odds and Ends

First, a WIP pic from last weekend's Monochrome SAL:


This is Dinky Dye's Shiraz Sampler done in their Yallingup Cotton on antique white jobelan.

Just over one skein for this much done. The whole sampler takes 6-7 total. I love the colors.

For now, I'm back to a couple Ornament RR pieces and then my September BC Snapper is up.

Reading

I finished a couple books this week as well. First A New Attitude by Charlotte Hughes. Not bad, but rather lacking in an overall sense of "purpose" - things just happened to the main character without much of a final goal in mind. I mean, it's fairly obvious she's going to get together with the other main character, but I would think there would be some other grand finale, you know?

Next I finished Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. This is a new author and the series is set in a knitting shop. Other than the constant use of the phrases: "artistically arranged boxes" and "soft and inviting" when describing the products in said shop, it was worth keeping an eye out for the next installment. It includes two knitting patterns and a recipe for cinnamon rolls that looks pretty good. Not as "out of left field" on the solution as Monica Ferris can get, which is a bit easier to take.

The bedside book is now Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich. It's one of her early romance-type books she wrote prior to Stephanie Plum's series. Should be quick - and definitely a "light" read.

The bus book is more in line with my usual reading material: Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher. 15 pages read on the commute this morning and I'm ready to take it out at lunchtime today to keep going. Wonderful magic base and twists in just the first pages. I love his Dresden Files series, so it's no surprise I'm drawn in already here.

Of course, what I *wanted* to start was Diane Gabaldon's Fiery Cross as a refresher for A Breath of Snow and Ashes coming out in two weeks. But could I *find* said book yesterday? Of course not! I found all the others in the series, but not FC. Bother. I'll hunt again this weekend as I rather doubt the Evanovich will take long to finish.

And in the course of pulling links for all the above titles, my Wish List on Barnes & Noble *and* Amazon has been expanded.....LOL

Game Hunt

I'm also on the lookout for a new PC game. DH has upgraded his PC and we can start looking at some of the new games out. My PC will still play Pharoah and Pandora's Box, but it won't play Black & White (B&W wasn't written for XP), which is a great game as well. There's good news, though! Black & White 2 will be out soon (Oct. 4) and DH's PC will easily handle it :)

A few others I've spotted that look interesting:

Dragonshard - out September 20th. D&D and real-time strategy. A potentially winning combination - ok, at least for me.

Egyptian Prophecy - an oldie, but still looks good.

Agatha Christie - And Then There Were None - Oh yeah, classic Christie! I do know the solution of the original story, though. According to the reviews it won't help me..LOL

Civilization 3 - I go back to this one again and again...and wonder if maybe I should give it a try...

Any recommendations?

The Results are In....

No pneumonia!!! (Everyone breathe a sigh of massive relief to match mine...LOL)

But, I still have a horrible cough, so another trip to the doctor to see what they can do so it doesn't end up worse...

Here we go again...

With one exception, it was an excellent weekend.

I watched several DVDs (The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Constantine, Chef! Season 1), I stitched (Shiraz and an ornament...pictures soon) and lounged around at home happily.

The exception?

That would be the cough. That got progressively worse over the weekend.

My doctor suspects another round of pneumonia (have had chest xray - just waiting for confirmation). My appointment this morning was pre-scheduled for a totally unrelated matter but when she heard the cough...well...that's where she started.

Stay tuned...more tomorrow....

Monthly Goals - September

August Goals Recap:

Start/Finish August Snapper - Yes!
Stitch next Ornament RR - Not received until 8/30 - but it should be quick
LOTS of progress on Faerie Blue - Oh yes!
Have a blast at Nashville CATS! - Of course
Finish DD's Knitted Tank - uh..no

I also finished Butterfly Lace, so that should count for something...

September Goals:

Start/Finish September Snapper
Stitch next Ornament RR (x2)
Start Shiraz Sampler on Labor Day
Stitch on:
Tropical Dream
Faerie Blue
Autumn Queen
Knit on DD's Tank

Ambitious, but we'll see how it goes....

SuDoku Seduction

Sudoku

It started out innocently enough.

Once a month there was a pseudo-SuDoku puzzle in my "Brainteasers, Puzzles, etc A-Day" Desk Calendar. (The next one is September 7th)

Within two months, I had looked forward to find when each one fell in the month for the remainder of the year. They were by far my favorite puzzle in the calendar.

Then someone posted this link online: WebSudoku. I printed a half-dozen puzzles and worked thru them in a relatively short time (hey, I was at work...)

Then another link: DailySudoku and I have religiously printed the daily puzzle and worked it (as best I could) each day. I'm thrilled when I manage to finish a "Hard" puzzle and am pretty consistent with the "Mediums" right now.

And on Amazon I found: Sudoku Easy by Will Shortz. Handy to figure out strategy, but they are almost *too* easy now so I need to order this one.

Also found a free app for my Treo (Palm device), so I can play anywhere...

And now rumors of a UK-published monthly magazine......

I'm doomed. Doomed I tell you! But I can count to 9 *really* good!

A Question Answered and Upcoming Stitch-Along

First, Isabelle asked about the Butterfly in Butterfly Lace....

I made it :)

It's essentially organza ribbon, fusible interfacing, some tiny wire and a bit of silk (stitched over the wire outlines) for the wings. The body is Rainbow Gallery Nordic Gold braid and the head a small gold pearl. The antennae are made of Kreinik braid.

Very tedious. But very pretty results....

Upcoming Stitch-Along -

The idea of a "Monochromatic SAL" has taken hold on the RotationBB this week. Several folks have single-color designs waiting not-so-patiently to be started and they are coming out this coming weekend, September 3-5. It's a long weekend (Labor Day) for the US but as usual, we have participants around the globe!

For me, it's my newly acquired Shiraz Sampler from Dinky Dyes to be done in DD Yallingup on white fabric.

For those without a usual monochromatic design, they've chosen a project that has lots of one color "family" to join in.

Productive Weekend

Two finishes this weekend!

First, Butterfly Lace by Victoria Sampler:



The pic is a tad dark..the linen is actually white.

Next, Bent Creek's August Snapper:



Stash, Baby!

Next year, I'm planning on doing the six "Snapperville" designs over the year and how handy that they arrived in my mailbox today. They weren't alone as the last of the fibers needed for TW's Tropical Dream and fabric for my eventual Mirabilia Enchanted Mermaid also arrived (PTP's Mercedes on Jazlyn - gorgeous).

Tomorrow: Monthly Goals update!

About me...and a tease

About me.... (found on a warm friend's blog)

1 . What time did you get up this morning? 6:30 - after smacking the snooze bar for 30 minutes
2 . Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds!
3 . What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Madagascar
4 . What is your favourite tv show at the moment? Mythbusters
5 . What did you have for breakfast? Oatmeal and grapefruit juice
6 . What is your middle name? Annette :)
7 . What is your favourite cuisine? Italian? Chinese? Mexican? Any!
8 . What food do you dislike? Meatloaf and green beans
9 . What is your favourite crisp flavour? US - blueberry, UK - plain Jay's chips
10. What is your favourite song? True Companion by Marc Cohn
11. What kind of car do you drive? Jeep Liberty
12. Favourite sandwich? Ham and swiss on rye with Miracle Whip
13. What characteristic do you despise? Insincerity, false "face" (saying one thing to you and something else behind you....)
14. Favourite item of clothing? Blue nightshirt found at Kohl's - soo comfy
15. If you could go any where in the world on vacation? London
16. What colour is your bathroom? Blue & White
17. Favourite brand of clothing? Anything that's comfortable!
18. Where would you retire? England
19. Favourite time of day? Evening
20. What was your most memorable birthday? This year's surprise trip to Burbank for CATS was pretty darn memorable
21. Where were you born? Michigan City, Indiana
22. Favourite sport to watch? Baseball
23. What fabric detergent do you use? Soapworks
24. Coke or Pepsi? Coke!
25. Are you a morning person or a night? Night
26. Do you have any pets? Three miniature schnauzers: Greta, Duchess & Nero
27. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? If you insist....hold for the last question
28. What did you want to be when you were little? A truck driver!

..and now the news....

After lengthy discussions at Nashville, Maureen Appleton and I will be working on some online classes in 2006. The first project will be a gorgeous set of "smalls" - needlebook, pinkeep, scissor fob, etc. and will include finishing instructions. As more information is set, I'll let you know.

I adore her projects and Maureen is simply the most charming lady you will ever meet! It is going to be a great time for everyone participating :)

To My Dear Husband....

Happy Birthday!

Would you have believed you'd spend this milestone birthday surrounded by such a family? Two kids who love you and three small dogs that do not stray far from your side during the day...

I know I am thrilled you chose to bring your life to the desert. You are my best friend, my love and my life forever and I am so much more with you than I ever was before.

Lvoe you muches, baby :)

Nashville...

I spent last weekend in the company of good friends, some I'd never actually met and all I can't wait to see again.

Thus is the "executive summary" of my Nashville trip! Now for the day-to-day details....

Thursday -

I managed to leave work at 12:10 (12:00 was the planned time) and easily made my 1:00 appointment to have my nails done (color: "I'm not really a waitress" by OPI - a gorgeous red). Stopped at the framer to pick up my seasonal exchange stitched piece (last round) but it wasn't ready (minor frustration - DH picked it up on Friday instead). Home for some last minute packing and after picking up DS at school and kissing him and DD (and DH, of course) good-bye, the "mini-limo service" (my aunt) arrived and we (Mom & I) were swept off to the airport.

So far, so good.

Checked bags curbside (bringing scissors, so no choice but to check) and headed to the gate to find our flight delayed 30 minutes. We were supposed to leave at 6:05pm and arrive in Nashville at 11:00pm. Now, the hotel had told me at reservation that if we didn't check in by midnight, we could potentially lose our reservation (even though I'd already paid for the first night - go figure). I called the hotel, explained the flight delay, and they assured me we *would* have a room no matter when we arrived.

We finally boarded around 6:45 and the plane was only half full (yeah!). Didn't take off until just after 7 due to a "servicing delay" but at least we were in the air. We fly. I read as I'd promised to lend my copy of "Wicked" to someone there and I was only half finished.....thankfully it was a fairly quick read and I made serious progress.

We land at 12:20am (Nashville time). There is *no one* else in the airport. But do we get a gate close to the front? Of course not. C22 is our arrival gate. We trek thru the seemingly never-ending airport to baggage claim. We watch all the black bags go by until Mom's red and my purple suitcase make their colorful appearance (and breathe a sigh of relief that the bags made it). We then head to the car rental counter as we'd reserved a car for the weekend.

Unfortunately we'd reserved with a company that closed the counter at midnight. Joy. So we go to Option B and secure a "small" car which turns out to be a Grand Marquis....yeah...I guess that's small after midnight. Find car and consult map to hotel. Doesn't look too far away....we should make it easily.

Too bad road construction isn't marked on the map. We're talking concrete barriers on *both* sides of a narrow two-lane "highway." Nothing was *closed* but signage was severly lacking. We did manage the 15 minute trip, but it was a nerve-wracking trip!

We check in to probably the largest hotel I have ever stayed at in my life. In fact, the desk gives us a personalized map to help us find our room (didn't help. We found a security guard and pleaded for better directions. *That* helped.). We finally collapse around 2am.

Friday -

Before I get too far, let me say that Nashville has way more of something that I'm not that used to. Humidity. Yeah, Phoenix has the annual "monsoon" season where we moan and complain about our "higher" humidity but it really is nothing compared to the rest of the country. I know this. I was prepared for the muggy and sticky feeling that only humidity + heat can generate. Really. What I wasn't prepared for was the pathetic job the air conditioning does to offset the increase in humidity. Seriously. I don't think there was one time during the weekend that I felt truly cool *and* dry. Most of the time it was warm and damp in some degree.

Anyway, back to the story.

Friday morning dawns warm even though we'd cranked the room a/c down as far as seemed necessary. Phone rings at 9:20 and it's Terry and Dianne (1Terry & Carroselz for the BBers reading) who are right down the hall! Cool! They come over as we're *almost* ready for the day and we all eventually troop down to find the Mart to register before searching for breakfast food of some sort. We find the Mart, make a quick dash in to get our TWBB ribbons, run into a couple more BB'ers and then we're off to find some morning sustenance, adding Ann (aka WhizGidget) to the group. One Coke and croissant later, we're back for serious shopping.

We shop. We laugh. We find more BB'ers. We greet various vendors that know us by sight (the result of going to *lots* of these in the last three years).

Around 1 we decided lunch would be good and seek out the Delta Food Court and Chick Fil-A (yum). We find Terry and Dianne *again* (in the food court) so we do more talking with them and a new face: Nicole from the HAED Board.

The rest of the afternoon is a bit of a blur...I know we found the Stitcher's Lounge and found more BBer's (we were all over, I tell ya! It was GREAT!). I know I went back in the Mart for some more chatting with Terry (Nolan) and Maureen (Appleton). I know I made one trip to drop stuff in our room.... and I know I got a call that the "mystery guest" for the weekend had arrived and I gave her directions to the Lounge/Mart to meet up. I left the Mart around 5:40 and headed over to the Lounge to hook up with Mom & Mystery Guest: Erin and a few others to find dinner. We eventually ended up in the Food Court again laughing and chatting with Terry, Dianne, Valerie, Cris (CrisGA), Sally (swsheridan) and Kate (fenicedautun). Dana and Cheryl (momstitches) joined us when they arrived at the hotel and even Heather (hlott) and her DH came wandering by late in the evening. That night wrapped up around midnight finally....

I did take some time to finish up "Wicked" and turned it over to Erin. It's different....

Saturday -

Another morning, another trip for a quick breakfast (you know, for the size of the hotel I was *really* surprised that breakfast-type food was hard to come by. There was a buffet and the "cafe" shop within reasonable distance of our room and that was IT. Sad.) and back to the Mart for another tour as Erin had yet to see any of it (or anyone really see her). About 11:30 we left for our pre-planned side adventure to The Parthenon thanks to Cheryl's wonderful directions (always ask a native...they *know* how to get places!). Oh my gosh...it was totally worth the time! What an amazing building! I took a bunch of pictures (still in the camera, sorry! I'll post some later this week, promise) and absolutely marvelled at the sheer magnificence of it all. If you ever find yourself in Nashville and have *any* interest in Greek history, you must go to the Parthenon....

Next on the agenda was a small grocery to procure a couple "only in the South" items: Whitehouse Applesauce (for my southern-born DH) and White Lily flour. Next, a stop at the Honeybaked Ham store for lunch (very tasty). Back to the hotel for yet more chatting and laughing and relaxing in the Mart and Lounge before dinner at 7:30.

Dinner was a hoot. There were 30 of us and even though we'd let the restaurant know *days* in advance, there was much table moving and hand wringing to get us all seated. The buffet was pretty good, though I will admit I didn't eat all that much...I was *way* too busy talking! Did manage to find a bite or two of dessert, though. Our table consisted of Erin, Goldie (goldstitch), Lynne (Gwena Lynn), Kathy (StitchinKat), Melissa (lissylaine), Mom and myself. It was great to just relax and chat with these folks over a leisurely dinner.

Most of us descended on the Lounge after dinner. We did take the time for a group shot thanks to a couple handy DHs and another stitcher in the Lounge. Slowly folks would decide it was late enough for them until the only ones left were Erin, Valerie and myself......and we lasted until 4. Truthfully I couldn't tell you where the time went. I enjoyed the cameraderie and the discussion with *everyone* and I wouldn't have missed any of it for the world.

Sunday -

Believe it or not, it started early for me. I had a 7:30 wake up call (yes, just over 3 hours of sleep). Mom and Erin were still snoozing when I snuck out for a *real* breakfast with Terry (Nolan) of Dimple Designs. After only one Coke, I could even talk sensibly and retain the points of our discussion (regarding the ezboard and website administration). Then back to the Mart one last time for a round of "bye!" to several folks. I firmed up plans for a new venture with one of the designers (more info soon!) and even made a couple last minute purchases. Back upstairs to pack (Mom and Erin long up and getting ready), checkout and we headed over to Opry Mills for lunch before going to the airport.

Thankfully, the flight was on time (though we were late getting in and ended up with "C" boarding passes) and I did nap a bit on the plane. DH and the kids picked us up in a lovely cool air-conditioned car and I was thrilled to get back to working a/c even though it was 108 outside.

And finally, the stash haul:

• Cougar "Fish" titanium oxide scissors


• Vera Bradley Piccadilly Plum Villager


• 7 skeins Dinky Dye Yallingup (cotton)


• 2 skeins Dinky Dye Sapphire (silk)


• Dinky Dyes Barrier Reef (cotton)


• Dinky Dyes Airlie (cotton)


• Enchanting Lair Spring Dragon (for DD)


• Dinky Dyes Shiraz Sampler (thus the 7 skeins above)


• Nutmeg Company "Summer in Sussex" (tiny 3d house)


• Long neck Mini magnifier (too much over one lately!)


• Heart's Content Rose Scissor Fob


• Cottage Mills "Connect-A-Box" here


• Cross Stitch Gauge (to id some mystery-count fabric I have)


• Dimples Thyridia (kit - 1 over 1 in blues...gorgeous!)


• Dimples Mini Ladybugs 1 & 2 (more over-1)

..and a couple items for other folks...

That's it! I do promise pictures soon...both of the trip and a couple WIP pics :)

Two More Sleeps

Did you count "sleeps" as a kid waiting for Christmas? I did! I started counting when the advent calendar came out on December 1st. We had a paper version that we used year after year until many of the little "doors" started falling off. Now I have a wooden "calendar" for my kids (each day they hang that day's number on a Santa-shaped hanging...uhhh...number-tile-displayer-thing.

It's two more sleeps until I head out to Nashville for CATS (technically it's not called that now, but that's still the name used on the boards). I don't have any classes scheduled, but may pick up the odd Make-It, Take-It (ok, "Little Bit o'Classes" - sheesh, why'd they have to change the name?!?) if the selection is improved from Burbank. No, I'm really going for the company. Ok, and a little for the shopping, but meeting up with stitching friends and catching up with a few designers is definitely the main draw of the trip.

In the meantime, I'm going to catch up on one of my favorite memes: Booking Through Thursday:

August 4

Whether based in fact or fiction, the legends of King Arthur have been the inspiration for many novels including Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, The Once and Future King by T. H. White, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Arthurian Saga series by Mary Stewart, and even A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain, to name just a few.

1. Do you enjoy reading the legends of the King Arthur and the knights of the round table? Oh yes, it's a favorite! In fact, I took a college course on Arthurian Literature which included the Malory, White and Twain and a few others.
   
2. How long ago did you read them? I first read Mary Stewart in the early 80's and the college course was in 1985. I can't remember the first time I read Mists of Avalon, but it was definitely long before the mini-series or even any of the sequels.


3. Will you ever read more of them or re-read any that you've read before? I still have my original Mists of Avalon and will read it again someday. I need to pick up copies of TH White and Mark Twain as I know my voracious reader of a daughter would enjoy them..

August 11

Roger Zelazny's Amber series, J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, David Eddings' Belgariad, and Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant trilogies, are all classic examples of fantasy. None of them are books either of my parents would ever consider reading. I've devoured them all... And more.

1. Do you like to read fantasy? Oh my yes! That's easily the majority of my reading time. I love good epic fantasy.


2. What's your favorite (or least favorite if you don't like the genre) thing about reading fantasy? Pure escapism. Good over evil. It stretches your mind far beyond the normal everyday existence and lays a bit of magic and fantasy while retaining the human condition...you can relate, but you're forced to think beyond your mortal talents.


3. Do you prefer regular people placed in alternate realities, like the Thomas Covenant stories and the Amber books, or do you prefer the whole world to come from the author's imagination? Or something else? Depends on the story. Alternate realities are great as the author can spend more time developing character and plot and simply highlighting where "reality" is bent for the sake of the story. For "whole new worlds" the author has to spend more time creating that world in the reader's mind, but he/she can create whatever is necessary for a good story. Each have their pros/cons and I've certainly enjoyed both. The Amber books and David Eddings' Belgariad are consistently at the top of my "favorite fantasy" lists.


4. Do you have a favorite author or theme that you go back to again and again? I have read *everything* David Eddings has put out and re-read the Belgariad & Mallorean a dozen times. It was the first author I bought specifically for my daughter (after she devoured the first three Harry Potter books). I also love Dave Duncan and his "A Man of His Word" series (first book: The Magic Casement - recently re-released). Both of these are epic in length, feature strong male and female characters and the story is centered on a quest or objective
   

The Joys of Parenting (a Teenager)

My daughter, K is 15. She starts high school on Monday (10th grade) and has had a pretty good summer.

See, just after school ended in May, she had an interesting email exchange with one of her long-time friends, J, where he *finally* admitted that he "liked" her. Now, as a good, observant parent (both kids are in band, so we've seen them together at many concerts over the previous year and a half), DH and I knew this was just a matter of time. When the kids were at a concert, the only time they weren't talking and laughing was when the were actually playing a song. They both would have these large grins on their face and we knew *lots* about J from casual conversation.

So, this summer they've emailed back and forth and actually gotten together a couple times (J was out of town quite a bit, or they would have been together a bit more often, I'm sure, at some event or something). J accompanied us to see a movie in June and he attended K's pool party this summer, but that was it.

Yes, it's a budding romance. DH and I have taken an interest (of course) and K has shared some of their conversations and emails with us. I helped her find ecards to send during their "ecard war" earlier this month (she won). We like J.

Last week, I couldn't help but take advantage of this. I'm a good, but sometimes evil mother. I admit.

K took out the trash and had left her cell phone on the end table where I was sitting. I picked it up like I was talking on it. When she came back in she heard....

"So how was your summer?.....That's good. Ready for school next week?"

At this point she sees me on the phone, but doesn't make any inquiry as to who has called.

"Yeah, K is too, but I think it's just so she can see you every day."

LMAO! Her face changed instantly to a look of horror and she covered the space from the door to the couch in record time. I put the phone down and DH and I started laughing. It took her a moment to realize that I wasn't actually talking to anyone...

But it was *priceless*

Favorites

Stolen shamelessly from Whizgidget but with a few of my own added (marked *):

Favorite...

Soda: Coke. Original, full caffeine, full sugar. And if I can get the "Mexican" version that is still made with sugar, so much the better.

New CD: DS's Jazz for Kids. Fun songs. (Ok, I admit, I cannot remember the last CD I bought for myself).

Burger: Harrington's Parlez-Vous Burger. Harrington's is a restaurant in Albuquerque and the Parlez-vous burger is open face with sharp cheddar cheese, a mushroom/wine gravy and a dollop of sour cream on top. The best burger ever. Haven't had one in 10+ years. Don't even know if they still exist....

More realistically: An In-and-Out Double Double with onions. Preferably ordered in California, as the Arizona version just doesn't taste the same.

Ice Cream: Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond

Coffee: Safeway Select Chocolate Macadamia. But I don't drink it...just smell it.

Store to Browse: Any bead or book store.

TV Show: Mythbusters. No...wait....Amazing Race. Or Monk. Or really any Atlanta Braves baseball game...

Snack: Hot buttered popcorn with parmesan cheese and garlic salt

Scent*: Vanilla or Fresh Lilacs

Movie*: Pirates of the Carribean (today, the answer will be different tomorrow)

Dessert*: Tiramisu or good New York Style cheesecake with fresh berries

Restaurant*: Texas Roadhouse. Incredibly good steaks.

Candy*: Good 'n Plenty or maybe chocolate covered caramels....yummm

Book*: The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop

Project*: The one just finished or the next one I'm going to start...LOL

Words to Live By: Be nice. You never know who is watching.

On Being Seven

On Saturday, August 6th, my sweet little boy turned seven years old.

He spent the day a little differently than normal, accompanying me to the salon for my bi-weekly nail appointment (Dad was off with Sister taking three dogs to the vet [they are fine - just routine]), being allowed to borrow Sister's GameBoy for this excursion. He was given a "birthday sucker" by the owner which he proceeded to eat imitating the owl in the old Tootsie Pop commercials (yup, three licks and it was *gone* from the stick). He behaved beautifully and while I wouldn't want to make it a habit, I'd take him again.

We returned home and he spent the afternoon watching Jonny Quest with Dad while Sister and I made the weekly grocery run. (I also snuck in a side trip to Target to pick up his birthday present - a Sony CD Walkman).

For dinner he decided we should visit the "Big Stone House" restaurant (aka Macaroni Grill) so he could have pizza. He ordered lasagne instead (a first). He also told *everyone* from the hostess to the waiter that it was his birthday. DH and I had decided to hold off on that part and stop for ice cream on the way home instead of enduring the attention at the restaurant. Obviously, Son wanted the attention. After dinner, a lovely young lady presented him with a plate of yummy Chocolate Decadence cake (with candle) and sung a gorgeous Italian version of "Happy Birthday." She was marvelous and I came thisclose to a tear looking at my sweet little boy loving every minute of it.

We still stopped for ice cream at Dairy Queen.

Once home, Son opened his gift. He didn't know what it was at first, but it didn't take him long to figure it out. Sister had found the Spongebob Squarepants Movie Soundtrack for him and he sat quietly (another first) on the couch while listening to it and then his Jazz for Kids CD. His little feet tapped away and he danced a bit but he was amazingly.....quiet.

I'll be pulling out some of my Disney soundtracks for him tonight. Something that keeps him quiet and relatively still? Oh my, we've got to encourage this....

I love you, my sweet babboo. I can't believe it's been seven years already. I hope the next seven don't fly as fast....

Meme Streets

I haven't done a Friday Forum for awhile and I'm liking today's subject, so here it is....

1) What's the best restaurant that you've *ever* been to? Think about customer service, atmosphere, food presentation, taste of the food, decor, location, etc. How about the *worst* restaurant? Why was it so bad?

There's a restaurant called Rustler's Rooste here in Phoenix. It perches high on South Mountain and has an incredible view of the city. My first visit there back in 1998 with DH was wonderful. Ribeye steak you could cut with a fork, perfect baked potato, half-dollar sized bites of indian fry bread and flaky and perfect apple pie. The view was amazing as the sun set and the lights of the city sparkled. We paid handsomely, but it was absolutely worth it.

Fast forward to 2003. We returned to RR with my in-laws (MIL likes cowboys) and it was horrible. The view was still there, but the menu was drastically different. *None* of the items we had the first time were on the menu and what we did order was over-cooked and tasteless. And the prices? They had *raised* them! We won't go back.

2) Imagine that you order something at a restaurant but discover that you *totally* dislike the food after tasting it. Do you complain to the server and send it back, requesting something else? Or do you just keep quiet about it, not eat it, and continue with the rest of your meal?

Depends on the restaurant. If it's the first time there and I've ordered that badly, I'd probably ask for something else. If I'd been there before and tried something new...I'll probably just pick at it and remember never to order it again (which has happened).

3) Do you prefer eating outside, in a restaurant's outdoor seating area? Or would you rather eat your meal inside? Why?

Depends on the time of year. During the summer, inside, please. Cook my dinner, not me.

4) Are there any new restaurants in your area [or elsewhere] that you've been dying to try? Do you enjoy dining out, or would you typically rather eat at home?

Love eating out. But we like our old standbys more than trying something new! Someday I'll make it over to the Scottsdale area to visit Garduno's - which was my favorite mexican restaurant living in Albuquerque. It'll be new to my family, but not really me. There's another place that's been open for over a year called Copperpeak Grill I'd like to try, too. That's much closer though :)

5) You and a friend go out to eat for lunch. Do you split the bill between the two of you, or do you offer to pay for everything if you're the one who invited your friend? Would you say that you're a pretty good tipper? Do you know people who aren't?

Depends on the occasion. If it's just a "let's grab some lunch" invitation, I prefer to split it. If I'm inviting for a specific purpose (celebration or trying to glean some information from someone) then I'll pick up the check.

Having worked in the restaurant industry (as a bookkeeper, not a waiter), I know the importance of tips to the wait staff. I will tip a *minimum* of 15% and usually round up if the service was good. If it was *great* then I'll go 20% - 25% depending on the size of the bill (and round up).

My step-father could use some "help" when calculating a tip...but Mom usually catches it in time ;)

Monthly Goals - August

Time for a recap of the July Goal Results and what's on tap for August!

July's Goal Results:

Finish Mom's socks for birthday dinner on Saturday, July 9th - Yup! With five hours to spare
Stitch first Ornament in new RR - Check! It's off to NZ
Make progress on Faerie Blue - She got a few hours....
Finish Seasonal Exchange piece - Done! Just waiting on the finishing bits
Start/Finish July Snapper - No - but I did get one done this month
Start/Finish 4th of July Snapper - Yes!
Start DD's knitted tank - Yes!
Start Pi Shawl - Yes!

August Goals:

Start/Finish August Snapper
Stitch next Ornament RR
LOTS of progress on Faerie Blue
Finish DD's knitted tank
Have a blast at Nashville CATS!

Stealth Finishes:

I have finished a couple things recently, but I can't show them off yet.

Margaret's ornament in the new Ornament RR round is done and the supplies are off to Lisa in NZ. Also finished my Seasonal Exchange piece and am waiting on the last of the finishing bits before it travels "down under" to Melanie.

Stash and Puppies

I haven't blogged for a week, so I figured I best come up with something *really* good to talk about. Work has been incredibly busy, I'm stitching as fast as I can at home to finish up stuff before heading to Nashville and there's nothing unusual going on that's remotely blog-worthy.

So I'm resorting to the old standbys: Puppies, Stash and Tons of Pictures.

Exhibit A: Nero

Isn't that the most adorable little face? Wait...I've got a better one....

Exhibit B: Nero Crashed On The Back Of The Couch

Exhibit C: Greta And The Coleslaw

Yes, you read that right, this is Greta after removing her nose from the KFC coleslaw container. *I* didn't give it to her of course, but DH some other nameless adult in the house did.

Exhibit D: The Puppy Shot

They don't like us at all. It's a pity really.

Exhibit E: The Trio

They were in close proximity and I was able to snap quickly. It's *something*!

Exhibit F: Trade Stash

Enchanter is now living in sunny Florida and these wonderful fabric specimens are now resting comfortably with some of their "cousins" in my stash.

Thanks, Belinda!

Exhibit G & H: Knitpicks is Goooooood

Nothing like getting a box full of yarn in the mail...

The red is destined to be some nice wool socks and the blue is a cotton/modal (whatever that is) blend is going to be the purse on the cover of Last Minute Knitted Gifts

This is going to make that pattern underneath - it's a "faux argyle" with knits/purls. Very cool.

Exhibit I: Lusting for Lorna

This is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn. Yes, it's just as soft as the picture. This was a recent ebay find....

Exhibit J: But First....

Hey, in my defense I started this on Saturday before going to the Braves v Diamondbacks baseball game (Braves won...we went to the right game of the series as they *lost* the other two on Friday and Sunday). I thought I might knit at the game. I didn't, but I *did* in the car on the way there....not a total waste!

New StRIP List

Ok, after the "Great Purge of 2005" here's what's left (In no particular order):

Butterfly Lace - Victoria Sampler
Heirloom Christmas Sampler - Victoria Sampler
Stroke of Midnight - TW
Dragon Ride - TW
Noah's Ark - TW
Autumn Queen - Mirabilia
Emerald Mermaid - Mirabilia
Christmas Elegance - Mirabilia
Quilt Mystery - Chatelaine
Egyptian Garden - Chatelaine
Sampler of Unpublished Insertion Stitches - Martha Schmidt
Neptune/Poseidon - Lynne Nicoletti
L'Epoch Nouveau - Dimple Designs
Edith Wolford - Silver Lining
Santa's Midnight Ride - Dutch Treat
Fortunate Traveler - TW
English Garden Welcome - TW
Medieval Majesty - Leon Conrad

Other Commitments:
Enchanting Lair Model
Ornament RR - began June '05
Bent Creek Snap-Along (2005)


As of July 2005 - 21
Finished - 0
New Starts - 0
Total - 21

Goal for December 2005 - Under 20 (including RRs) I'll go out on a limb and say that Autumn Queen and Butterfly Lace will definitely be finished this year.

Rotation/Stitching Thoughts - Followup

Thought I forgot about this, didn't you?

Well, I didn't. I've just had a few (*cough* two *cough*) new distractions at home... [by the way, I'm working on a "family shot" of the three of 'em, but having them sit still long enough for the digital to actually take the pic has been a challenge. Or if they are still, they aren't all looking the same way...]

After ruminating on my list and pulling out a few of the pieces, I did put up for adoption five of the "retired" WIPs. Celestial Dragon, Magical Night and Enchanter all have new homes (they will be mailed tomorrow, ladies). Lady of the Flag has a couple of suitors but Peace (Silver Lining) is still a "wallflower" (get it? Ha!). I'm sure she'll be claimed eventually.

Next was a good look at the dreaded "obligation" pieces that I have. Now, none are difficult or even annoying to stitch on, I've simply let the due dates creep too close. So, as noted for this month's goals, I should have one finished completely and the second (a model due for Nashville) will get all my attention.

Once those two are out of the way, the only "obligation" stitching will be smallish pieces - my current Ornament RR (which I'm caught up on, finishing the first piece last weekend) and the Bent Creek Snap-Along (which I'm technically a month behind....choosing to work up the 4th of July Holiday snapper rather than "July Sings" - oh well).

So what will be my new rotation? Well, it'll be goal-based. Monthly goals that is.

That's right, I'm going with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude and simply adapting a new Rotation-Style driven by monthly goals. That's been the one constant in the "successful" months over the last 18 months. Goals will minimally cover any obligation stitching (RRs, SALs), incorporate some knitting and address at least one large WIP (Autumn Queen to begin with). I usually manage to hit most of my goals and *still* have a bit of "free time" to spend on either a new small start (you wouldn't believe the size of the box I have with fully-kitted small projects) or some other screaming WIP.

Goals will be documented here each month with a short review of the previous month's progress (just like I have been doing).

I've smashed thru my StRIP goal for the year, so I'll amend it to say I'd still like to have at least one fewer WIP than I have right now. We'll get more ambitious next year....

Tomorrow, a full StRIP list....

Three Times the Love

So, Saturday I needed to get some dogfood.

DH accompanied me on my usual Saturday errands (so he could add a couple) and that means we *both* hit the pet store.

Of *course* we had to check out the puppies. I mean, we had been planning to get Greta a buddy here soon and if they happened to have a male schnauzer....well...

Meet Nero:

Nero is a three month old salt and pepper miniature schnauzer. Fixed, chipped and such a sweetie.

Now, two should be plenty, right? Right?

Well, that would be the case if they hadn't had....

Duchess:



This darling baby girl is five months old and was rejected by someone that specifically asked for a white female schnauzer :( With various sales and discounts...she was *almost* free and how could we leave her?!?

Greta had *no* problems when we brought them home yesterday. She patiently stood and let them sniff. Not a growl when they discovered her toys and food/water bowls. She is definitely the "momma" and played with them most of the evening, but kept them in the front room or kitchen with us and gave them the tour of the backyard.

Heaven help me, we are now a three-dog family!

Rotation/Stitching Thoughts

At the end of April, my real life went thru some upheaval that continued for well over two months. It was a miracle I picked up *anything* involving needle and thread during that time, let alone kept to a documented rotation.

But we're back on an even keel now, so time to do some analysis and get back to making progress.

As you may have noticed from various posts and my sidebar over there -> I've expanded the scope of my stitching to include significantly larger needles and thread (knitting). I've never been bothered by a long WIP list (I just don't share it too often...ha!) and as much as I'd like to whittle it down to something less than 10, that's a loooooong-term goal and not suitable for each month.

And if you think I can go *years* without a new start...think again.

It was that attitude that started my StRIP (Stash Reduction Implementation Plan) adventure over two years ago with the folks on the Rotation BB. I must admit, it's been a modest success. I was pushing 40 projects when it started, and now I'm around 30. Granted, many of those projects were unceremoniously "retired" rather than completed....but given the slow shift in my taste and priorities, that's not unexpected.

What is surprising, is that I feel the urge to do it again. Yup, officially "retire" a few more that I simply don't see myself finishing any time....ever. Various reasons (like last time) - yucky fabric, taste change, something more appealing in the same subject waiting, icky chart, all the usual suspects. Is it a dose of Cold Hard Reality creeping in? Probably. A way to find a lower number of Projects without having to invest the long hours to finish projects that would be folded up in a drawer and forgotten? Oh yeah.

Candidates? You want to know what I'm thinking of dumping?

Sitting down, right? There are a few shockers here....

Project: Storyteller - TW
Reason: Yucky fabric. The Quaker Cloth has not held up well with the repeated handling required by this project (worked in hand). It's gotten too soft and the weight of the stitching is having a detrimental effect on the fabric. This can only get worse as I'm not quite half-way with it.
Restart? Possibly. Definitely on something lighter in color and heavier in weave, though.

Project: Lady of the Flag - Mirabilia
Reason: I'd rather stitch Queens. She doesn't quite *fit* with them, though.
Restart: Highly unlikely.

Project: Peace - Silver Lining
Reason: I've started this twice already. Once over-1 and this time over-2 and I'm still not happy with the results. I give up. There are other flowers of Marc's that I like much better.
Restart: Maybe...but a smaller version

Project: MH Honeybees
Reason: I don't know what possessed me to ever get this in the first place.
Restart: Heavens, no.

Project: Enchanter - TW
Reason: I don't know what I'd do with him if he ever was finished!
Restart: Unlikely. This is a kit, though, so technically he'll just be in true "UFO" status (unless I find him a new home...which is possible)

Project: Magical Night - TW (with HUGE apologies to Justyna)
Reason: Same as Mr. E above.
Restart: No. I found *perfect* fabric for this and it still doesn't grab me. Maybe I've been corrupted by all the nasty rumors of stitching pegasi wings....

Project: Mystery 6 (Indian Summer Reflections) - Chatelaine
Reason: I like the newer mandala gardens so much more!
Restart: Not the whole piece, but possibly bits and pieces. I can simply finish the center and have a great piece for the top of a box....

Borderline Projects (I can't decide one way or the other...so they stay for now):

Project: Celestial Dragon - TW (Sorry, Suz!)
Reason: Permin Linen + over-1 = headache. It's also 28-ct, so he's *huge*
Restart: Possible. I'd almost like to find him a new home....he'll be stunning on the Star Sapphire Linen.

Project: Santa's Midnight Ride - Dutch Treat
Reason: Fabric is yucky to work on: stiff and fuzzy (18-ct worked over-2). But it goes quickly and I have the perfect spot for the table topper to live during the holidays....
Restart: No...but it's probably only 40-50 hours to finish it....

---

Ok, so if I eliminate 8 of the 9 above, that leaves me under 20 projects in the "official" WIP list:

Stroke of Midnight - TW
Dragon Ride - TW
Fortunate Traveler** - TW
Noah's Ark - TW
English Garden Welcome** - TW
Autumn Queen - Mirabilia
Emerald Mermaid - Mirabilia
Christmas Elegance - Mirabilia
Quilt Mystery - Chatelaine
Egyptian Garden - Chatelaine
Heirloom Christmas Sampler - Victoria Sampler
Butterfly Lace* - Victoria Sampler
Sampler of Unpublished Insertion Stitches - Martha Schmidt
Neptune/Poseidon - Lynne Nicoletti
L'Epoch Nouveau - Dimple Designs
Medieval Majesty** - Leon Conrad
Edith Wolford - Silver Lining
Santa's Midnight Ride - Dutch Treat

* - Less than 10 hours to finish
** - Under 10 hours done. I'd probably drop these from the list for now and add them back in once I've freed up other "spots."

Wow, I've hit my StRIP goal for the year (under 25) and I've barely taken a stitch.

Facts:

My spouse *really* wants me to get Autumn Queen up on the living room wall (I guess he thinks Winter is lonely). Every time I finish an ornament or other small project lately, after the "Nice!" I get the comment "...but I can't hang it on the wall."

I would really like to have Heirloom Christmas Sampler done for holiday hanging (heck, it'll hang year-round just like my other stuff). That tree though...[shudder]. I'm about a third of the way thru it and had to start the next bands for sanity's sake.

The only rotation system that has been working lately is the Monthly Goals. I keep them pretty reasonable and meet *most* by monthend (hey, if I made it easy, where would the challenge be?).

I've just been gifted with Chatelaine Midi 1. If I use DMC rather than the NPI (which I'm not enamored with by any stretch) I could have it kitted fairly quickly (and at reasonable cost). I have the fabric, too. It's not as large as Egyptian Garden and only has six parts.

I have a model I *must* finish ASAP. I have a small exchange piece I must finish as well.


So that's the situation. Let's ruminate on this for a day and see if I can come up with a workable plan.... thanks for listening to me "thinking out loud" :) Feel free to provide feedback/suggestions/etc.....I'll post to the Rotation BB for additional discussion opportunities...

Picture Parade

I promised pics this week and I'm here to deliver on both finished and new projects....

First, Mom's socks were completed with 5+ hours to spare! (Finished at 12:30pm and we left for dinner just after 6)



The yarn is from Knitpicks - Sock Garden in Hydrangea. Very nice stuff to work with. The pattern was from Angel Yarns - it was included in the "Sock Starter Kit" with Opal Sock yarn. Way easy....

Next up was a Bent Creek Snapper finish:



I know, it's not the official "July" Snapper...but hey, I'm close! I started it on the 4th and finished it Sunday. DMC on Light Sand Belfast...just like the others.

Of course with two finishes, that means two starts, right?



This lovely cornflower blue snake is the beginnings of the Vintage Camisole. More Knitpicks yarn...Wool of the Andes (in Cornflower) if I remember correctly (you might think it would be printed on the label there...but it's not). There's a crochet edging for the bottom to tame the stockinette curl.

Finally, I'd like to *finally* introduce the beginnings of my Pi Shawl:



This is 20+ rounds in (first round at 144 for Jenni's reference). See that pretty stitch marker? That's one that Jenni sent me (I'm using a couple on the tank, but failed to position them appropriately for the picture...sorry).

This puppy was a PITA to start. You start with 9 stitches on 3 double-pointed needles. And you are *supposed* to use an "invisible cast-on" with a crochet hook and loop of yarn. Yeah. Now, I know how to crochet and while it took some serious willpower to leave the loops *on* the hook as I was working them into the center loop, I managed my nine stitches and transferred them to the three DPNs.

Then the fun began. Three slippery needles....laceweight yarn....a mere three stitches on each needle and doing yarn over increases to double the number of stitches.

Fun.

So does it surprise *anyone* that somewhere around Round 5 I dropped a stitch and didn't find it until Round 10? I thought not. So out it all came and I started again.

Pick up loops....leave them on hook...transfer to DPN and juggle while trying to knit with teeny-tiny yarn and pull the center loop tight.....

Not happening.

The third time is the charm, as usual. I surrender the "Invisible" Battle, but I'm not ready to give up on the war. I revert to my old stand-by (long tail) and cast on nine beautifully even stitches, arrange them on the DPNs and I'm off and running.

A couple hours later I transferred to the circular needle and all was well in the Pi Battle....

Meme Day

It's been a hectic week as you may have guessed with the serious lack of entries.

I better should have some finished items to show off next week and possibly the beginnings of a new knitting project...

For now, I am hiding behind a couple memes!

Booking Through Thursday (June 30)

Most people I know enjoy some sort of mystery stories. My mother-in-law loved police and courtroom procedurals. My mother likes detective fiction. There are also murder mysteries, general mysteries, and hard-boiled detective stories, with protagonists such as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Amelia Peabody, Kinsey Millhone, Mamur Zapt, and Perry Mason to name a few.

1. Do you enjoy reading mysteries? Love them! One of my top two genres to read (Fantasy being the other)


2. What's your favorite kind of mystery? Murder mysteries are number one. Yeah, throw some other felonies in for some added flavor, but I want a dead body right in the middle! I love historicals and "cozy" mysteries and anything with a dash of humor. I usually avoid "True Crime" types - I much prefer fiction. The closest I'll come to "courtroom" style is Perry Mason - haven't read any others that appeal in the category.


3. Do you like plenty of blood and guts, or do you prefer the details to be left to the reader's imagination? You can keep the blood and guts.....I can imagine plenty.


4. Do you prefer mystery stories based in the author's time or in previous centuries? I love historical-based stories and will pick those up off the shelf first. Whether it's the past for the author or not doesn't make a difference. I love Rex Stout - his Nero Wolfe books were mostly contemporary for him, but they are historical for me.
   
   Not to say I don't read modern mysteries.....I'm not-so-patiently waiting on the newest Janet Evanovich from my mother. Love Dan Brown's stuff, too.


5. Do you prefer mysteries based in your own country, or in distant lands? Reading about far away countries is as close as I get to travelling right now. Someday I hope to *see* some of the landmarks in the books....


6. Do you like to figure out the solution, or do you allow yourself to be carried away with the story? I just let the story unfold. Sometimes it's fairly obvious what the solution is, but the journey the detective/sleuth/protagonist takes is most of the fun

Booking Through Thursday (July 7)

My own personal definition of a coffee table book is a book that is large, over-sized, has lots of pictures, is about a specific theme (e.g., Georgia O'Keeffe's 100 Flowers, steeple chasing, Disney Animation, the Golden Gate Bridge, etc.) and generally speaking not something that most people would sit down and read in an afternoon. Coffee table books are often displayed singly or in piles for the benefit of guests to peruse, to stimulate conversation, because they look good, or whatever.

1. Do you have any coffee table books? A couple....


2. Do you have one or two, or would you say you have a collection of them? Not a collection of coffee table books, but books that are part of an overall collection or interest.


3. Do you keep them on your coffee table? If not, where? No...they are in the office or bedroom with the other books (Don't want them to get lonely, ya know).


4. What are they about? I have two on the making of my favorite move - "Gone With the Wind." Great behind-the-scenes photos and stories. The most read book is about the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The photographs...oh my. Stunning, simply stunning. He was a true genius of an architect. Not so nice of a man, but we all have our challenges ;)


5. Have you read them? All of them? None? Why? I have definitely read them all! Cover to cover, several times.

Stitching Bloggers Question (June 22)

Are there any types of designs that you won't stitch?

"Won't" as in "never-ever no matter who designs it or the subject matter"? I can't honestly say there are design types I can positively state I will never stitch. Tastes change...and while I hope I never have the urge to stitch cutesy animals and uber-country scenes, I've stitched them in the past!

I usually avoid primitives...but there are a few designers that can tempt me to cross the line (Bent Creek at the top of the list). I'm not a fan of computer-converted artwork, but I am still drawn to some specific artists (Monet is #1 there) and may someday take the plunge (in something smallish - not the poster-sized versions). Oh, wait, I do have a version of Van Gogh's Starry Night in my stash.....so my feet are already wet.

Stitching Bloggers Question (June 29)

When starting a new project, do you start in the middle? If you do, once you've worked down to the bottom, do you turn your chart and fabric around so that you are stitching the top section downwards again or do you just stitch upwards from the middle?

First, I *never* turn my chart and fabric. My brain invariably would turn them back the right way and I'd just make a mess! Stitches going the wrong way...not pretty.

As for starting, it depends. If there's no border, I usually start in the middle (even on band samplers) or somewhere close. If there's a border, I'll work an outline (if there's an outer band of stitches) or part of one side before making my way to the middle.

Stitching Bloggers Question (July 6)

Do you think that you stitch neater on Evenweave than you do on Aida cloth? If so, why?

Is this a trick question? I can't remember the last time I worked on Aida and if I *did* it would only be for something with *zero* fractionals. Fractionals on aida are just pure torture.

I will say my evenweave stitching is usually neater and more even than my linen stitching. Not that that is a *bad* thing, it's just part of the character of a linen project. If I'm doing lots of over-1, I absolutely want evenweave and preferably a good thick variety (Jubilee - my favorite for pure over-1).

July Goals & Weekend Stuff

Well, my June goals are MIA (eaten in the ezMess), so I can unofficially say I met them all ;)

Yeah, I know, it's cracking me up, too.

Let's see what's on tap for July:

July Goals

Finish Mom's socks for birthday dinner on Saturday, July 9th (her birthday is the 10th. The big 6-0).
Stitch first Ornament in new RR
Make progress on Faerie Blue
Finish Seasonal Exchange piece
Start/Finish July Snapper
Start/Finish 4th of July Snapper
Start DD's knitted tank
Start Pi Shawl

Whew...better get moving...

Weekend Stuff

I took last Friday off for a luxurious 4-day weekend. We didn't have any plans other than lots of baseball and some serious DVD time. June was hectic for us and we all needed some time for deep breaths and copious sleep (ok, maybe only the adults needed the sleep).

Here's how it went:

Friday - the usual Saturday errands (which really threw off the internal clock) and a relaxed dinner out at a local Mexican place.

Saturday - Quality time with Hydrangea Sock #1, Columbo and Poirot. Also serious kitchen time with homemade spaghetti sauce and garlic breadsticks for dinner.

Sunday - Outing to the movies with kids+1 (DD's girlfriend). Theater had a 45-minute power outage about 2/3rds thru Madagascar (DS and I, Bewitched for DD and her friend). Outing lasted just a bit longer than expected. Baseball and the finish of Sock #1 that evening.

Monday - LOTS of baseball (ESPN showed 5 games in HD on Monday) and the beginnings of Sock #2. Also washed the "stinky" laceweight in Woolite which took care of the dye/wool smell easily. One skein (of three) yielded a 4-5" wound ball of yarn. I'll wash/wind the rest this week....

That's it for me! Enjoy your day :)

Rebuilding a Wish List

But first, as promised, a picture of the "winning" sock yarn:

Yes, it's the Knitpicks Hydrangea that was the big vote-getter. It was a VERY tight race though, with Hydrangea winning by a single vote. These colors are perfect for Mom and as her birthday is fast approaching (July 10th) I'm hoping to get at least *one* done before then to present to her (shhh..don't tell. I don't *think* she reads this blog...at least she's never commented on it...)

In semi-related news, my recent Knitpicks order arrived yesterday. I have yarn for three more projects (socks for DS, tank for DD and socks for me) and some too-short #6 DPNs (6" ain't gonna work well for starting the Pi Shawl, but they are perfect for socks!).

This means a trip to the LYS on Friday. I know....I know....such torture I am willing to endure. A whole store full of yarn and patterns and tempting bits. I'll fill you in on what leaps into my hands to come home with me ;)

---

On to the Wish List....

The recent ezMess has destroyed my carefully crafted Wish List for various exchanges and just "things to remember" in general. I'm thinking my current Secret Stitcher and my new Seasonal Exchange partner would appreciate if I'd get my rear in gear and work on it.

Ok, here we go....

Mini Cross Stitch Kits by Lanarte: Elephant Giraffe Zebra Lion
Victoria Sampler: Beyond Cross Stitch Kits Level 6 (1-5), Heirloom Homecoming (Reds)
Dracolair: Red Dragon Bookmark
Bent Creek: Snapperville
Hinzeit: Halloween ABC, Baseball
Shepherd's Bush: Busy Sheep, Oh Say, Little Witch
Pine Mountain: Halloween Foursome, Patriotic Foursome
Milady's Needle: Acorns Rule, Silent Night
Chatelaine: Mini Mandalas 2, Medieval Town Mandala, Sea Quilt, Mini-I-L
Long Dog: Rosemarkie
Stitch'inspirations: Lost in a Blackwork Maze
Primrose Needlework: Get your Ducks in a Row
Jeannette Douglas: My Stitching Treasures

Ok, that's enough....I'll add fabric/theme info in the appropriate posts on ezboard :)

Take the Survey!

To my fellow bloggers....go ahead....click it :)

Finishes

What? Surprised? I *do* finish things occasionally, ya know.

In the last week I've finished five things. Count 'em. Five. I'm on a roll.

First up are the stitching finishes:

I participated in two Ornament Round Robin...uhh..Rounds this year and both are now completely finished. Here are the final two ornaments.

From the "Specialty" RR out of the 2004 JCS Christmas Mag, "Heart of Christmas"



This is the second time I've stitched this (first time when the magazine first came out - DD started and I finished it) and I *still* managed to get one row out of whack. Oh well, personalization.

From the "DMC Only" RR out of the JCS Christmas Mag, "I Saw Three Ships"



This one is on 32-ct fabric and the ships, my initials, crowns and "three ships come sailing in" are all over-1. Looks nice, but I'm glad I'm done!

Finish #3 is a knitting finish. As this was a gift, I was bad and didn't take a pic. So....close your eyes and imagine....well, after I finish the description at least....an 8" square dishcloth in a lovely cotton yarn red/pink/brown/cream variegated....pattern is 8 outlined hearts around the edge....

Well, Margaret liked it! A "thank you" for acting as a personal delivery service after her recent east coast vacation. She brought me two jars of my husband's favorite applesauce (White House - not available in Arizona), beautiful stitch markers from Jenni, my completed Dimples Round Robin (pictures when the squares are assembled) and some gorgeous beads from my Secret Stitcher. (Yes, I gave her other stuff, too, just nothing I recently finished!)

Finish #4 and #5 are of the novel variety.

Ill Wind and Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine. Awesome fantasy! I'll be ordering Chill Factor shortly to continue the story.

I also think I need to revise my recent answer to the "Best New Series" question. The Weather Warden Series is now clearly in the lead for the year. Unlike the Anne Bishop and Nora Roberts series mentioned, these books have both book-length stories as well as an overall "arc" across at least the first three. You can read each one and stop (though doing it in order for character introduction would be a *really* good idea) or continue to find out "what happens next...." They remind me of Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking and the two sequels (The Good, The Bad, and the Undead [started] and newly released Every Which Way but Dead[on the "To Buy" List]) but also of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files (I've read the first six...love them!)

Last night I also cast on the "winning" sock yarn from the recent poll. When I've got enough rows done to look like something, I'll post a picture....

Booking Through Thursday

I had other subject plans today, but time got away from me to do them justice....tomorrow....

Series
Probably most books stand on their own. But a lot of them are part of a series. J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy comes immediately to mind, as well as Stephen R. Donaldson's Gap series, Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody series, and lots more.

Do you read books that are part of a series?

Oh yes. A good epic story is my favorite reading!

Do you collect all the books in the series before starting?

No, usually only the first two or three to make sure I like the series before continuing with it.

What if the series is brand new, and the only book that's been published so far is Book 1?

Then I go thru the agony of waiting for each subsequent book to be released! I started reading David Eddings when the first book of his first series was released, Pawn of Prophecy. It was over 10 years before I got to the end of the story...

As subsequent books in the series are published, do you go back and re-read the preceding books?

Depends on how long its been since I read the last one. I'm re-reading the last two Harry Potter books in preparation for the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince next month. However, when a new Laurell Hamilton is released (either Anita Blake or Merry Gentry), I don't usually go back to the previous year's book. There isn't a huge amount of "carryover" between them other than characters.

How many?
Some people are like my uncle, and they read four or five books a week, every week. Some are like my father, and read four or five books in a year.

How many books do you read in a week? Month? Year?

On average, I'd say one-two per week. But I'll have periods where I'm speeding thru and other periods I barely manage two pages a night before falling asleep. In the last three months I've read between five and eight per month. At that pace it'll be 100 for the year. Yikes! No wonder my bookshelves are full....

What's the best book or series of books you've read so far this year?

Re-read: The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. I LOVE this series!
New read: Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts. I think this is my favorite of hers.

What's the worst book you read this year? Did you finish it?

If I don't like a book, I will put it down. Truthfully, I can't remember the last time I did that, but I know I have in the past. Worst book this year? I choose not to answer...not to spare any book's feelings, but because I can't think of one right this moment...

In Search Of...

On an impulse, I checked BlogPatrol yesterday and found enough interesting search critieria in the last four days for a blog post....

21/06/2005 15:26:15 " best gyro""recipe" (Google)

Oh my. I'd like to find one of these myself! However, if you want someone else to do the cooking and you're in downtown Phoenix, visit Crazy Jim's. It just so happens I was there at lunchtime today....Gyro Pita with Fries, yum!

21/06/2005 13:45:01 flouridex toothpaste (Google)

I think I mentioned this a couple years ago in a meme and it's one of the top search criteria for my blog. Sad.

21/06/2005 07:38:11 enchanting lair el 56 mystic (Google)

I'm sure it's the "Enchanting Lair" part of this that hits as I adore Laura and her gorgeous designs (and thus mention her often)

21/06/2005 06:39:13 greek royal family pic (Yahoo)

I have *no* idea how this is a hit. I'm not greek or royal and I know I've never posted a family pic.

20/06/2005 22:01:34 annette's acre (Google)

This one is pretty obvious. If I ever change my website, I'm sure I'll be in trouble.

20/06/2005 14:26:42 poirot lapel pin (Google)

Oooo...I never thought of doing a search to find a replica of Poirot's pin. It's a tiny vase pin, perfect for a tiny flower (either fresh or silk). I might have to try this one myself.

20/06/2005 13:04:08 futurecast inventory planning (Google)

I would imagine this person got several hits of Teresa Wentzler's Futurecast. This would include my own version: Finian

20/06/2005 11:19:34 bad seats for phantom at gammage? (Yahoo)

Oh! Oh! I can answer this one! Other than the very very top (and only because the chandelier *might* block some of the stage view, but that's a guess, I have no evidence), there aren't any.

20/06/2005 05:38:09 body in a fishtank columbo (Google)

That would be the episode titled: Columbo Likes the Nightlife from 2003. The last one made. And for my fellow Columbo fans, Season 3 will be released August 9th!

19/06/2005 21:36:07 egyptian stitching projects (Yahoo)

I have a few of these. Egyptian Sampler (TW) is finished, Egyptian Garden (Chatelaine) is in progress. I also have Mike Vickery and Maria Van Scharrenburg in my stash....

Yes, I love Egyptian stuff ;)

19/06/2005 20:04:33 cinnamon rolls foodtv (Google)

Hmmm....any reason why someone wouldn't search directly on the FoodTV website rather than using Google? Though I suppose a good cinnamon roll recipe could be found anywhere. But then why specify Food TV? And would anyone look for a "bad" recipe?

19/06/2005 10:17:31 fantail guppies (Yahoo)

Yup, we had two of these for quite awhile. Sadly, we lost one in a tragic aquarium plant accident just a couple days ago (no witnesses, unfortunately), so we're down to just one. He looks lonely, though, so I'm thinking we may have to increase the population.

19/06/2005 07:41:28 chatelaine "april 2005" (Google)

I stitched on my Chatelaine stuff in April. I'm sure. Well, I'm fairly sure. Ok, it's a good chance....

18/06/2005 18:13:25 mirabilia "emerald mermaid" floss (Google)

This WIP is making a ruckus out in my WIP pile, so it doesn't surprise me she's got Google roped in to get my attention, too.

Shameless, I tell ya. The things these projects will do to get my attention.

18/06/2005 09:24:02 Annette of the mickey mouse club is she alive?? (Yahoo)

Yes, she is. Being named after her, I tend to keep up with Annette's public life.

18/06/2005 09:07:42 mystra biography (Google)

Who is mystra and why would I have any information on her biography?

18/06/2005 06:30:24 sweetie... /annette (Yahoo)

I know for a *fact* that my spouse is a Google user, so whoever is looking on Yahoo! ain't looking for me!

That's it for today's "In Search Of..." I hope I've provided some useful information....to someone...somewhere....

Return of Sock

Remember that sweet purple sock I posted a few days ago? He's back with a friend:



Don't they make a cute couple? HA!

These are going to DD as she was my patient model while I was making them ("Hold up your foot! Let me measure!").

The next pair is coming from one of these four candidates:



From left to right:

Opal Self-Patterning in greys
Knit Picks Sock Garden in Hydrangea
Opal Self-Patterning in lavendar/blue/cream
Knit Picks Sock Landscape in Rocky Mountain

Which would *you* pick?

On the reading front, I finished my re-read of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this week and started Order of the Phoenix. Given that my first read of OotP was done in nine hours the day it was released two years ago (has it been that long?!? How time flies!), I'm looking forward to taking a *little* longer this time.

This weekend I intend to stitch in between family...ummm...stuff. DD is hosting a pool/slumber party (the boys are invited to the pool party but NOT the slumber party) on Saturday afternoon/night, so I'm sure that'll keep me busy. Hey, I get to watch Phantom again on Saturday night (DD's request), so I'm psyched! Who cares if it's with 4 15-yr old girls?!?

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Traffic Reports

I have a 26 mile commute to work each morning and one about the same length going home in the afternoon (I know, what a shock). Most of it is freeway (ok, most of the way *to* work is freeway, I cheat and take more surface streets on the way home) and depending on the time of day and time of year (read: school year = more traffic by ASU), I can pretty well judge the "normal" amount of traffic.

However, I still use the usual "drive time" traffic reports to identify unusual amounts of traffic. Hey, you live in a large city and have a decent-length commute, traffic reporting is a "must-have" in the morning and afternoon.

Now, as you may (or may not if you haven't been reading my blog too long..or even paying attention) or may not know, I have Sirius Satellite Radio in my car (that I LOVE). I listen to nothing else (which may explain why I just learned my CD player is on the fritz...I think I've used it a half dozen times in the 18 months I've had this deck).

"But Annette...Sirius is national. How do you get your essential traffic reports?"

Good question! The answer? Channel 159. Sirius does "Traffic & Weather" for 20 metro areas on 150-159. Phoenix shares its channel with Miami, so not only do I know the traffic hot spots in Phoenix, I can also get around in Miami (well, I could if I was there...and had somewhere to actually *go* in Miami). Every four minutes I get traffic and weather for Phoenix.

It's apparent from the way Phoenix traffic is read, that there *is* someone local providing the information. I mean who else would know that The Broadway Curve, The Hohokam, The Maricopa and I-10 are all the same freeway, just different bits? And Black Canyon and The Durango Curve both refer to I-17? Took me *months* to figure that out when I moved here, let me admit right here. We won't even mention the whole Squaw Peak/Piestawa nonsense...just say SR 51, please.

Once you get the freeway names straight (there's also The Superstition which is 60), you're left with the street and city names. Given the location of the state and the population mix, does it surprise you we've got both Mexican/Spanish and Indian names along with more traditional "named-after-a-local-politician/celebrity/stand-up-guy" names? Didn't surprise me. Also the fact that 32nd St and 32nd Ave are no where near each other? The "Avenues" are west of Central and the "Streets" are east....if you're in Phoenix proper...in the suburbs, well, they don't always follow the "rules."

So, listening to Phoenix traffic read by someone back east can get interesting. In the last week alone:

"Slowing on 60 at Val Vista..." came out as Val VEEsta, rather than VISta (as in "history")

"Accident at Camelback and 19th..." 19th what? Street? Avenue? There's a big difference...

"Slowing on 101 East..." 101 is a loop around town. It goes north, south, east & west and if you don't tell me what exit at least, I've no idea *where* on the loop this could be.

I won't even try to detail how they pronounce Ahwautukee. (Should be: Ah-wah-TOO-key)

And I can't wait to hear them in July and August on the weather. They're still saying that 105 is "a hot one." Yeah. Right. *I* don't even say "hot" until it's at least 110.

Phantom

Night-time sharpens heightens each sensation . . .
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination . . .
Silently the senses abandon their defences . . .
Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour . . .
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender . . .
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
and listen to the music of the night . . .

--Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera
Music by: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by: Charles Hart

This song has been in my head since about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Well, I'm guessing on the time. The show started just after 2:00, so maybe it was closer to 3:00 when this part of the performance was done...

Lost? Sorry...let me back up...like a year....

Last July, my Mother called and asked if I was interested in seeing Phantom of the Opera at Gammage Auditorium (on the Arizona State University campus...a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building...but that's a post for another day...). Anyway, my daughter loves Phantom. She's read the book....she's heard the music and we conspired to give her a "Phantom-themed" birthday this year which would include the tickets to the live performance.

Mom bought tickets. Good tickets. Six of them, though she wasn't precisely sure at the time who would be using them other than her, my daughter and myself.

Fast forward to March 31st of this year (daughter's birthday) when Daughter learned we were going to the live theatrical performance. She was pretty psyched. She also received her own copy of the soundtrack (the London version 2-CD set as recommended by a certain muse) and two charms for her bracelet (a rose and PotO logo). She really wanted the movie (Daughter and Mom saw it last December)....but I was waiting for the live show first.

Fast forward again to Saturday past. Show was at 2:00p and being in Arizona assures a wide variety of dress styles for a matinee theater performance. Everything from shorts to formals. We were in the middle with Daughter in a dress and dress pants and blouse for myself. The other members of our group were Mom and Al and my brother V and his new wife.

We filed slowly into the cool interior (after standing outside in the 100+ degrees for awhile) and made our way alllll the way around the lobby area to our designated portal (Gammage is circular). Portal 2. The closest to the stage. We're in Row 5. Yeah, good seats.

I love live theater. This did not disappoint. It was amazingly wonderful. The music....oh my.

Afterwards, Daughter and Mom braved the crowds and found a t-shirt. We all braved the traffic and found our way back home eventually around 5:30p. A quick change and off to the grocery store....

...where I picked up the Phantom DVD. As Daughter reminded me "You've seen it now! We can get the movie!" I admit, I was intrigued.

Home, dinner, yadda yadda and by 9:00 she can't stand it anymore. She wants to watch the movie....ok by me. Son is off to bed, DH is off to watch something else and it's only Daughter and I with The Phantom. On the big screen. In stereo.

I did something I *never* do while watching a movie. I had nothing in my hands. That's right, no stitching, no knitting, *nothing* distracting from the movie. This is unheard of. But I just had to watch...it wasn't live theater, but it was still wonderful.....and the music is still....oh my...I love the music....

Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
and listen to the music of the night . . .

So, I saw Phantom twice on Saturday....and it was SO worth it....

Meme Catchup

First, for Jenni: Laceweight Yarn - I love the color and the seller is *very* interesting...

On to the questions:

Stitching Blogger's Questions:

What do you like *least* about cross stitching?

Chart errors and the tendency to attract frogs when one's attention wanders...

How do you deal a "stitching slump?"

You mean like the one I'm in now? First, I don't fight it as that just makes it last longer. I read, play games on the computer or if it's strictly "stitching" I'll do some knit or crochet until I feel the call once again. Usually it's no more than a couple weeks....I think the five year slump was a freak occurrence ;)


Booking Thru Thursday:

Format
Some people, like my mother, only read paperback books. Others prefer hard cover books. Some read hard cover books because they come out first, but prefer paperbacks otherwise. And you?
Do you prefer to read hard cover or paperback books?
Why?
Do you read books in the other format anyway?

I have a slight preference for paperbacks, but only because I find them more portable. If it's a book I'm dying to read, I'll buy the hardback as soon as it's published (Laurell Hamilton books fit this criteria as do Harry Potter). If it's a series I've read and re-read and hardbacks are available, I'll buy them for longevity (Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series fits this criteria).

I've "dabbled" in audiobooks as well and with the recent gift of an iPod Shuffle from my spouse, I expect I'll be spending more time in that format ;)

Buy, borrow, trade
Some people like to be surrounded by books, and keep everything they've ever read. Others don't like the clutter, and keep them long enough to read them. Most people seem to be somewhere in the middle...
Do you buy the books you read, or do you borrow them from the library or from friends or from somewhere else?

All of the above! My mother and I trade books quite often and there's a "lending cube" here at work where I found most of the JD Robb "In Death" series. At the same time Amazon and Barnes & Noble are favorites for shopping online and when I find myself looking for older or "classic" stories, I'll hit the library.

Do you prefer new or used books?

Nope. A book is a book ;)

If you buy them, do you keep them? If you don't keep them, how long do you hold on to them before letting them go? What do you do with them?

Usually I keep them. About once a year I'll do a clear out and visit the local used bookstore for some trade credit...and yes, I spend it on more books...

A Moment....

"I'll post that entry in just a moment...."

"I can answer that meme! I'll just be a moment..."

"I'll only visit for just a moment..."

"Wait, I just need a moment at that yarn shop..."


So, the last week or so has been a series of "moments." Some have never quite made it (posting), some were extended long past their original lifetime (shopping) and some were just out of my control (ezMess).

Where have I been the last week? So glad you asked.....

June 1-3rd I was outside of Los Angeles, California on a business trip. I visited the beautiful cities of Burbank (ok, just the airport there), Arcadia (that's where the hotel was), Rosemead (the offices I was visiting) and Irwindale (the location of the User Group conference I attended).

Work-wise, it was a great trip. I was travelling with a co-worker and my current boss (former boss's boss....who has taken our group on temporarily). Both are just great people and I can't imagine anyone better to have spent that time with. I spent three days in one meeting after another, but I got something useful out of every single one (not something I can say when my schedule looks like that at my home office LOL)

As you can imagine, there wasn't much time for sight-seeing. The highlight? I drove past Santa Anita Racetrack and while I had hoped to get a few minutes to find Seabiscuit's statue, it didn't happen :( Maybe next time....

Ok, that's the sum of the California trip, but there was a "moment" on the Tuesday before I left. In fact, I'd say it was a Yarn Harlot worthy moment ;) On Memorial Day I had the great notion of finding a simple sock pattern to take on my trip. I found one online that was just the ticket: Sock Lessons. Of course, this called for needles *and* yarn I didn't have handy. The solution? Why a trip to the LN/YS on Tuesday at lunchtime, of course! Now, I knew there selection was somewhat limited in the needle and "normal" yarn area, so I checked good old DexOnline for any other shops within lunch hour distance. I found one a bit closer, but in the same direction....perfect!

Off I went. I looked for the new shop, but missed it on the way to my usual LN/YS. As suspected, they had neither the called for yarn or needles, but in the interest of flexibility, I did get a set of needles one size down. For this exercise, if I only knit one sock that didn't fit anyone in the family, it wouldn't be a total loss. As I was making tentative plans to stop at Michael's on the way home for suitable yarn, I spotted the new shop on the right side of the road just as I drove past! Do I go back? Do I press on and continue with my Michael's plan? What would Stephanie (aka Yarn Harlot) do?

I made a U-Turn.....

It was a good decision. The shop actually supports both needlepoint and yarn and I found the perfect ball of purple acrylic/wool blend for my sock lesson. They were also out of the #6 DPN but I'd already resigned myself to use #5s. *Very* nice ladies in the shop, too. I'll be back ;)

After packing that night, I cast on for the sock and carefully packed it in my carryon bag after calling the airline to confirm that wooden knitting needles were acceptable in the cabin (as long as you've got yarn, you're good on Southwest). I admit, I didn't get much knitting done while in CA, but I did finish the sock a couple nights ago here at home. May I present my first completed Sock....



I tell you, I couldn't be more proud! And the best part? IT FITS! (well, it fits DD as she is the intended recipient). I'm about 2/3 down to the heel on Sock II.

Meanwhile my sock yarn is stacking up as I've received my Angel Yarns order and still have Knitpicks yarn waiting as well. Not to mention the laceweight I won on ebay today....but that's destined for my Pi Shawl....

Stitching? Uh yeah...well....another confession. With all the stress lately, I haven't picked up my stitching for a couple weeks now, preferring larger needles and no scissors to a frog infestation. However, I'm happy to report that things are calming down and I no longer expect a new disaster to strike at any moment. Ezboard, not withstanding. That I have no control over....

I have been reading, as the drastic changes over on the sidebar might suggest. I finished one Nora Roberts (Face the Fire - very good), the Agatha Christie (Cards on the Table) and the re-read of the Black Jewels Trilogy (Nicki, you are in for a treat with those! I'm so glad you picked them up!)

Tomorrow's Friday Forum doesn't appeal, so I'm hoping top find some time to catch up on the Stitching Blogger's Questions and Booking Thru Thursday....

I just need a moment.....