KnitForKids Sweater #2 for 2008

This is sweater number two for my 2008 KnitForKids personal goal. I like this one better than the first sweater posted. It seamed up better in the bodice. I am behind one sweater, but will get to it shortly.

KnitForKids Sweater #1 for 2008

Finished seaming a tee-sweater for KnitForKids. Not sure if I really like this one. I'll stick to tried and true in the future. The bodice and bottom ribbing is different on either side. The common denominator is the variegated yarn in the body of the sweater. Added a row of single crochet at the neck and sleeve edges in the variegated for contrast. I'm just glad that a child somewhere will have something warm to wear.

I'm seaming another sweater for this charity and will post it shortly. Trying to knit about 12 sweaters or one a month for 2008. The thing is to make sure that I knit for all sizes (2 - 10) and not just the smaller sizes. I don't have children of my own to knit for, so knitting for this charity fills the void. Yes, I am one sweater behind. Need to get the needles clicking to meet my goal.

Neighbors Barking Dog

What do you do when it is 3AM and every morning the neighbors dog wakes you up barking? This is every morning. It is early morning and every night as well. I like animals, but how do you sleep through the constant barking? Is the dog cold (it is 42 degrees outside)? Is the dog thirsty? Is the dog hungry? I have gone to my back door and shouted at the dog to be quiet, but to no avail. Do I go over to the neighbors house in the middle of the night and ask them to do something with the dog? Do I call animal control or ASPCA? What do I do? The neighbors behind me and on the other side have dogs and you don't hear them. It is frustrating enough to make this snowbird cry especially since I do the 40 hour work week! I'M GOING TO MAKE COFFEE, GET MY KNITTING OUT AND THINK THIS THROUGH!

Legend of the Dogwood Tree

There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering said to it: "Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross...two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it remember...that it was upon a dogwood tree I was crucified and this tree shall not be mutilated or destroyed, but cherished as a reminder of My death upon the cross."

Happy Easter!

"He is risen" Matthew 28:7

Spring in the South, Snow in the Midwest

Purple flowers in my sisters flower bed...

White azaleas in my front yard...

Now I understand why I live in the Deep South. Looking at the weather map today, Michigan was getting dumped on again. Don't get me wrong, I love the first snow. But, after the first few times, I'm ready for warmer weather. That's why this snowbird has migrated South. I always rethink my decision to live in the Deep South about June 1st of every year -- start of hurricane season. Snow or wind? Snow or wind? Snow or wind?

Officially Spring

It is officially Spring or we are in the midst of the vernal equinox. Vernal equinox? Beginning of spring: the time when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are of equal length, marking the beginning of spring. Either March 20th or 21st. Okay! Now that we all have the official definition, I just like the day because it marks the time when winter should be behind us and warmer days are ahead. By the way, it is 45 degrees at 7:24AM with a high expected of about 69-70 degrees for this first day of Spring. This is what is blooming in the Deep South right now in honor of this special day!

Lovelies and More Lovelies

These "lovelies" have been added to my stash to make a summer short-sleeve (Lacy Tee) top and the other will be a 3/4 length sleeve sweater for winter. I have my heart set on the 3/4 length sleeve Cabaret Raglan by Norah Gaughan in The Best of Interweave Knits (page 79). Going to make it out of Knit Picks Swish Superwash above. Knit Picks had a great picture of the sweater in this purple. LUV LUV LUV IT!! Did I say how much I love the sweater and the yarn and the color of the yarn? The summer short-sleeve (Lacy Tee) will be out of the Reynolds Saucy Sport turquoise--both found at Patternworks. So I will add these to my knitting basket and work on them when I finish a couple of childrens sweaters for charity and the white baby blanket. I can't wait to start these two projects.
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KNITTER BAD HABIT DEFINED: finding something else we adore and immediately want to knit the item of our adoration while another project goes unfinished.

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Might be a bad habit, but it keeps a knitter from getting bored. It's what I read one time called "rotation". Work one project, put it down. Pick up another project, put it down. Go back to the first project and so on and so on....

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I kind of like the rotation excuse for multiple projects myself.

FO's -- Scarf and Dishcloths

A few knitted items that are done finally! The turquoise blue merino wool scarf and three dishcloths.

The turquoise blue scarf needs to be blocked before its gifted away. I really like this merino yarn and will probably buy it again.

The dishcloths were thrown in for a change of pace. The two yellow dishcloths are knit corner to corner on the diagonal by increasing and then decreasing. Easy easy pattern. The swirl dishcloth pattern came from a knitting magazine. Probably will make another swirl out of a different color cotton yarn. The dishcloths are being gifted to an aunt in Michigan. She is in her 70's and still e-mails me regularly. Just got to love the "retired folks". They don't let technology get them down when they need to keep up with us.

Big Boo & Little Boo--They Rule the Roost

These are pictures of the four-legged furry ones that rule my house. Yep, the house turns around the wants and needs of these two guys!
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The yellow guy is Big Boo (the first real gift from Hubby to me). He is 14 years old and is our diabetic kitty. He requires two shots of insulin a day. I had never heard of animals being diabetic, but I guess they are not any different than we are with illnesses. He takes it pretty well and hubby has him trained to come for his shots and he gets a treat after each shot. He eats special food prescribed by the vet. He kind of reminds me of Puff in the Dick and Jane reading series in elementary school. That will take you back a few years.

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The black cat is Little Boo. My nieces rescued him after he suffered some head injuries. They spent about $400 having him treated at the vet's and then he landed at my house for safekeeping. His head wounds healed nicely (you can't even tell) and is a real joy to have around.

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Both pictures were taken when they were trying to nap. By the way, Little Boo gets a treat when Big Boo gets one because they are buddies and Little Boo stands guard to make sure Big Boo doesn't get hurt. It happens that way twice a day. The little guy watching out for the big guy.

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Both love attention and usually end up in hubby's lap when he is watching TV or catching a "cat nap" in his recliner. A sight to be seen. All three snoozing. These are the guys in my life.

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I can stand on my soap box about having pets and taking care of pets, but I won't. Watch for my post about "Sam" my sisters recent rescue--a chocolate lab. He is too cute.

Ravelry Notification!

Was accepted to Ravelry earlier in the week. Yahooey!

Took a few minutes then to look around Ravelry. Loved seeing what others have made. Noticed that there are a lot of younger people that have taken up knitting. Good for all of you!!!! For some time, I thought that knitting would become a lost art, but glad it has made a comeback over the last ten years or so. Still not done rambling through Ravelry. May have a chance this weekend. Trying to get some work done around the house. You know the usual washing and cleaning on the weekend after doing the 40 hour thing. Then plan to sit down to work on blog and do a little casual knitting. Thanks Ravelry for putting me in the loop!

Ravelry Update! Progress Has Been Made!

452 people are ahead of you in line.
5819 people are behind you in line.
94% of the list has been invited so far

Talk about progress and moving through the list!!!!!
I know there has to be some really excited knitters and crocheters out there.

Snow Drops

I guess this a harbinger of Spring. These are in my Mom's front yard. They are Snow Drops or, at least, that is what she calls them. They are around some of the trees and in a special garden. More pictures to come of Spring in the Deep South. It is my favorite time of year here. The colors are magnificient. Dandelions are peeking thru the ground, azaleas trying to bloom, tulip and red bud trees in full bloom. Last, but not least, a flock of robins. Where are you headed? It's a long flight home.

Snowbird or Junco

Thanks again my Northern friend for the picture of the Snowbird or Junco to add to my blog. I think it looks great!