What about knitting

I can't get pictures to upload for some reason ..The button is not responding when I click on it. I have turned off and restarted ?? any suggestions?


My log cabin blanket using Lion B rand Thick and Quick is moving along. I want to finish that before I start one more large project. Sometimes mindless knitting like this blanket is more relaxing
The Dish Cloth KAl Day # was completed already today. I have decided not to do the other sock for the Queen of Diamonds pattern. the first one is huge .Wish I could show the picture of this monster heel sock!


My knitting group was discussing making the Berroco Free Pattern Wayland . 10 balls of Berroco Foliage needed and the skill level is Easy.. http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/wayland/wayland.html

If they do it - I will be doing that this summer. I have so many other things to start that sometimes I feel like I am going in circles.


To top it off this new spinning addiction is limiting knitting progress.

Robins hatch and fly away

My photos uploading has been problematic . My photos are on reverse order and won't let me drag them today...

Yesterday I witnessed one of the chicks leaving the nest. It is in the picture below. The little chick landed on the deck as it was testing out its flight abilities. What a marvelous sight this was! Several robins were perched on my deck screaming and squawking the chick on! Even with my deaf ears it was like soccer parents cheering their kids on.. The noisy chick stayed on the deck for a while and then landed on the lawn where it continued flying awkwardly around testing out its wings.. A hawk was flying overhead and the other robins went berserk scaring it away. The chicks never come back the nest and now will stay in the trees. I hope they survive the terrors of this cruel world like the fox, hawks and other dangers they face....
One good thing . I can use my front door again.

The photos below are of the 4 chicks at about 11 days.
Robins leave the nest after only 13 days .
AMAZING!!!!

9 days old with mother bringing food back and forth.

Newly hatched chicks!

Tuesday May 29th news plus - Robins have landed- part one

Life is good being retired.

I stay up all hours doing whatever I please.My new spinning wheel makes me forget that it is 2 am . This morning The Boy complained the noise woke him ..Maybe the wheel needs oil -so it is ordered from the Woolery. It would be nice if directions come with the oil -like what parts do I oil??

Being retired I get to see all kinds of wonderful things that I never stopped to notice before. One favorite is all the beautiful flowers blossoming outside.

and the ones that were inside-

The most rewarding was watching the 4 robin chicks for the past month. ..
Every morning I rush out to witness what has happened.Here are photos the progress of these chicks up to a few weeks ago.

********************Robin progress will continue tomorrow.


1. Robin nest was made one month ago on my front door wreath.

2. 2 eggs were spotted

3. Next day a total of 4 eggs

So the past month no one has been allowed to use this door due to robin's nest . .

Pug shots / my new wheel!!!

Yes- this is a pug blog so here is a photo update:

The barkers- Molly and Peek-A- Boo let me know if any people , deer or even squirrels are in the yard.So far no bears but with the bird feeders still up we may get one soon.

Buddy- the licker He especially likes legs of all sorts

Molly ( aka Mommy) She is the mother of Peek-A-Boo and Buddy

guess what??? 5 pugs live here

Magoo- a lug of a pug getting old and gray . He is the father of Peek-A-Boo andBuddy.





Poor old Winnie - a loyal pug with very bad legs. She is the pug that started it all.

Pugs gotta check this out

brand new and just out of the box !

Stitch 'n Bitch Cruise/ Knitter's Day Out

Two knitting events I hope to attend

I just saw this posted on my Dish Cloth Kal

Stitch 'n Bitch Cruise

http://www.bust.com/knithappens/stitchnbeach2008.html

OMG a KNITTING CRUISE RIGHT FROM NYC AND INCLUDES ALL THE KNITTING MATERIALS. NOW -IF i CAN TALK THE BOY INTO IT * HE HATES CRUISES* OR ONE OF MY FRIENDS..

and next * I did this last year- great deal and classes*

I sent my form with the 54$ (including lunch) this morning

Knitter's Day Out

www.knittersdayout.org

Guest instructors will be Beth Walker-O'Brien and Beth Brown-Reinsel

Knitters' Night Out (market open) 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M, Friday Registration 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Saturday Knitters Market 8:00 A.M to 5:30 P.M. Saturday Morning Classes 9:00-12:00Lunch 12:00-1:30Afternoon Classes 1:30-4:30
Directions and Accommodations

Ticks/ Baby sweaters mailed./ No Africa.

disgusting tick detached

Yesterday while driving in the car I touched my hair for no particular reason and suddenly felt this small bump . Damn- I knew it was a gross tick and sped another half hour home knowing that sucker was attached to my head. The Boy was not home so I had to get 2 mirrors to be able to actually see it and pluck it out. Ticks totally gross me out - it makes me sick just thinking of them. I was gardening yesterday or possibly it came from the Pugs although they use Frontline religiously. I need some to put on me too.




Good news besides the tick dilemma . I am happy to report the baby sweaters for my nephew's twins were mailed out today!

Bitter-sweet news this morning we called and cancelled our trip to Africa. First of all -they messed up our flights having my husband and I travel on different airlines at different times. They had me going from Newark to Dulles and then back to Boston then go to Amsterdam while my husband would get a direct flight from Newark. This is absolutely crazy considering that the cost of this trip could buy a car ( good used one).

Secondly- all the Us Government travel to Kenya advisories are scaring me half to death.

So we are not going and I am losing more than a $1,200 but hope the rest is refunded in travel vouchers/ cash of balance. We have forms to fill out and the Red Tape will be complicated. Still, I am relieved .

Spinners and Weavers Guild

My first sweater
boy buttons

Icelandic wool

I loved this first meeting. An interesting guest speaker spoke about raising her Icelandic sheep. This group is very active and I think I will love it. A knitting subgroup is coming to my house June 26th. This is some roving purchased but don't know what to do with it yet.. but soon hopefully as my wheel comes this Thursday.

I found buttons for the male twin baby sweater. How is is possible that finding buttons can get me so excited?

Spinning Wheel

I asked Ann about spinning wheels in her blog Purlingswine. She recommended the Lendrum Wheels. I have never met her but love reading her blog . Ann is so knowledgeable and funny!

Anyways- I have been checking Ebay daily for wheels and a newly listed one popped up tonight at a bargain price.. yeah So now I have a new folding Lendrum wheel!

I am happy, happy!

Oh -now I am not doing the Spinning Weekend due to the cost and realized Spinning Guild meeting is that day.

Rose- breasted Grosbeaks/twins

Rose- breasted Grosbeak
This spring has brought some magnificent birds to our kitchen window. Every morning I watch new visitors come to our feeders. These two have been hanging around all week. I think they are grosbeaks?
Look here http://sdakotabirds.com/species/rose_breasted_grosbeak_info.htm

knitting progress



My nephew had twins April 25th and here are my first attempts at baby sweaters . I have finished the collar and started the sleeves tonight on the blue one.. The pattern comes from the book Minnies.

Happy Mother's Day

Pugs

on my crocs

Orchid for Mother's Day

Being a mother has brought me the greatest joys . You love your children unconditionally like no others. Raising my children and being a mom are such special memories. I was a natural mother as I loved it and gave my all and as a result my two kids have turned into kind , loving and productive humans .

Both graduated from college and are employed (with benefits even).

Being a mom to my 2 children is my proudest accomplishment in life!

Stiches classes / robin still on nest

look closely to see mother on nest
Just got an email that early registration for Stitches starts this Monday. My knitting friends just got back from Maryland and everyone is broke. This will be discussed at tonight's knitting group but not sure if they want to go again.

Learning to Spin

After going to Maryland I decided to search to find places that teach spinning. I need a special person that is extremely patient. Between my hearing loss and my lack of eye- hand coordination learning new things are always a challenge. Added to it is this panic I always feel when others catch on so fast and I am left in the dust...

Well...I found this....

FIBERSCreative Spinning Mary Ann Kirchhoff May 19-20 (2 day) Beginners as well as spinners with experience will enjoy exploring the many possibilities in this workshop. Learn helpful shortcuts and ideas on a variety of spinning wheels to find out which style works best for you (or bring your own! no antique wheels please!). Discover many new and unusual fibers with methods that simplify the process, making it enjoyable for all. Create designer yarns from an assortment of colors, textures and techniques using the wide selection of fibers the teacher provides. Ideas will flow! No two yarns will look alike! Beginner to advanced. Mary Ann Kirchhoff has been spinning and weaving for over 25 years. She has studied textile arts throughout the world where she has developed many of the techniques she uses in her work. Mary Ann spins and weaves using a variety of fibers including fleece from Angora Goats. She demonstrates and teaches spinning and weaving. Tuition: $250 Lab Fee: $35REGISTER ONLINE NOWmore fibers

http://www.pvcrafts.org/2007%20Workshops/beginners2007_wrkshpschd.htm

This weekend is for beginners and there is an open spot. It is about an hour and half commute. It is a bit costly and after my Maryland trip this month???My plan is to wait and decide next week. With my parents being so sick I can't pay this ahead of time (* no refunds)