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)

Do not enter - robin eggs....

We can't use our front door because of these.There might be more but I don't want to scare the mother robin away as she flies away if anyone goes near the front door.

Look in the top right corner..... bits of straw right?

This is not even a wreath made of natural materials. Incubation takes 12-14 days and another 2 weeks as a fledgling. Blue Jays, snakes and squirrels are common robin egg enemies which we have in abundance. It will be so cool if they finally do hatch and survive.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Robin_dtl.html

Maryland Sheep and Wool

Sheep to Shawl Competition

What a great weekend! Life is good.....Shopping, knitting and being with good friends.

Off to Maryland

All packed and ready to go this morning. All the essentials are in the Element: wine and my knitting! The weather is beautiful so it should be a pleasant drive down. I am driving this time so no knitting in the car. But, we all take turns on our road trips and it is bright and sunny so that is good.

Speaking of weather. This perfect spring week has been so entertaining watching all the colorful birds and plants emerge. This is another thing that makes me enjoy not working . I get to appreciate and notice all the wonderful things going on outside. When I worked it was dark on the way to school and my classroom was facing a court yard with cement and weeds. OOo I love not working!
Africa is still up in the air.. .The Boy does not think it is bad as it appears on the warning.

My Trip to Africa dilema...to go or to not go

well I have been planning an African safari trip for a year now. It cost $$$ and is paid for.I was so excited about seeing all the animals and people.
But that has changed...I became aware of this travel warning http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html and then to top it off I stupidly watched the movie Blood Diamonds.
So now- do I go or cancel???????????????????????????????//Am I being my normal worrying self? But reading that warning sounds like a real threat to my safety.. The group organizer says she was aware of it and would take precautions just like she would advise anyone who came to Washington Dc where she lives. The travel company says everyone is going and having a good time and they have trained people bla bla bla ..
I do have insurance where I can cancel and get vouchers for other places. When the Boy gets back from Florida we have to talk more .
Meanwhile I am gettng ready to go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival . The boy is coming back just in time so we will barely cross paths and switch cars.The Mini backseat is too small for 2 knitters that long of drive. He gets to take care of the pugs too.

scared batty

This ugly thing is hanging over the entrance to my front door.. It is a bat during the day time- is that normal?. Of course, the Boy is still away in Florida. I have had the door open all day to get fresh air in. I hope none of these scary things are hanging inside my house. this creeps me out.

Queen of Diamond Sock

Terrible photo with it being dark and rainy out and a sock blocker might help.

I am working on the leg and next will be some complicated Picot cuff.This is the fastest ever done on one sock. They take me forever along with this is the hardest one attempted. After going to knitting group last night I realized a few things were wrong but will continue and just do the other sock the same way. (If I can remember what I did?) The Boy is in Florida golfing and visiting while I watch the pugs so I have had big blocks of uninterrupted time at night. ( pay back for my Puerto Rico trip with D)

But then last night all of a sudden I was sick of all concentration so I pulled out UFO Log Cabin that is mindless knitting..

Queen of Diamond Socks/ What's on the frig?

I noticed several bloggers posting what is on their refrigerator. Maybe your frig reflects your personality? Mine includes my son's wedding announcement, photo of knitting group at Stitches, the blue sheet is my airline info for my trip to Africa in July (whoopee) and several magnets that were given as gifts or souvenirs from my travels .


My plan is to go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival with my knitting group as long as I can get away without worse happenings with my Dad or Mom. He continues to decline in the nursing home. My poor mother is now the hospital after having severe chest pains this weekend. The stress of worrying about him and traveling back and forth has taken a toll on her . Not too much knitting done with all the driving back and forth.

now on to the socks

Queen of Diamond Socks
I am struggling these socks that I am making with my Thursday night knitters. They spun their own yarn but I am using Knit Picks Essential Tweed 65 % Super Wash 25% nylon and 10% Donegal (?) so if it is only 65% super wash does that mean they will shrink 35% - I hope.This is a challenge because it is my first sock using circulars , a Turkish Cast On, toe down and reading my first chart ever. I am sure they are not going to turn out like the ones in Spin Off. My pattern looks a bit weak and the sock looks huge!!!!! The shape of the toe is not as bad as the picture portrays.It would fit my husband but a bit too feminine for him. My teacher helped me with the gauge and said to use the larger size ? Well- it is all learning experience so the next time will be better- right?. I like the circulars and if I was not doing this lace pattern thing it would really move fast. So -maybe next will be Cat Borhdi's basic sock pattern?

Litter Plucking-Earth Day

Annual litter pluck day
SULLIVAN COUNTY – The Sullivan County Division of Public Works and Solid Waste donates trash bags for roadside cleanup event and accepts roadside refuse free of charge at the landfill and transfer stations. 845/794-3000 ext. 3072.

Today my husband I spent a few hours doing this litter plucking. (Shoot- I did not think to bring my camera.) We just plucked a small area to clean by the NY/Pa bridge near our house. It was a beautiful day to pluck but I am totally shocked at all the garbage that is tossed along the sides of the bridge and roads. We had 3 full construction size bags of garage that included numerous beer cans , bottles and wrappers from all kinds of cigarettes and food. Also were some political signs buried in dirt, Christmas decorations, a video tape, hub cap and some cat food cans. We took our treasure to the library where they had a dump truck full of the group's efforts. It made me feel good to see all that garbage off the roadsides.

Pug are Bed Hogs

I just had to buy 3 of these Pug plates from an ad in the Parade Magazine. It is a Gary Patterson Plate titled " BED HOG"One for each of my kids and one to keep. We all have pugs that hog the bed and sleep in such comical ways .

Tonight is Knitting Group night. The group project we are starting are "Queen of the Diamond Socks" form Spin Off. I hope I can handle it my frustration level is high lately. I am looking forward to using the circular needles for the first time with socks and if I have to go to a simple pattern I will. We are making plans for our Baltimore Sheep and Wool road trip.

Can you believe I ripped out 2 days of work on 2 cloths for the Dish Cloth KAl? The count of the stitches and my concentration were really off. I finally convinced myself last night that this one was not fun- why torture myself for dish cloths?I just ripped and ripped and enjoyed it. I don't think I have the patience for lace.- at least this week.

So sad

One of the students that got shot at Virginia Tech went to Minisink High School http://www.minisink.com/the same one my kids attended. Caitlin was an only child that was extremely talented and respected by all. . My heart goes out to her family, friends and all of her former teachers.Every mother knows this is your worst nightmare. You send your kids off to college and hope that you have prepared them but,never imagine something like this. Nothing could be worse.

Mid April KAl

Starting 2 dish clothes in variegated yarns for this months KAL. I look forward to these but wonder if it is keeping me from finishing other projects.I do not have a long knitting project span for some reason so this KAL works for me. I get frustrated with so many ufo's.

The weather really is crappy here. Snow, sleet, rain and lots of flooding in the area.Schools were even closed here today. The Delaware is roaring and getting higher but not like last summer's flood.

Return from Puerto Rico

Duck Tour of San Juan

and

sock knitting by the pool
snorkeling in the Caribbean

Whew..from sunny 90 degree weather to return to snow, slush and cold.... but still glad to be home to my husband and pugs.. My trip was wonderful with quality time with my daughter !Not as much knitting done on this vacation as we were very active with hiking in the rain forest, Duck tour, rum punch /snorkeling day trip and walking to Old San Juan and Condado. My blue sock got past the heel .Now on to unpacking and clearing the mess my husband left all week

adios

Adios Amigos

I am off to the playa. I am staying at the Normandie which has mixed reviews.http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147320-d209621-r3430503-Normandie_Hotel-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html I am so excited to be with my daughter a whole week. The Boy gets to watch the pugs this week while I am basking in the sun and drinking mojitos....do I feel a bit guilty?
My knitting is packed. Just maybe I will finish the second Blue Seduction sock-?

Spring break

Well, I am all packed clothes wise for Puerto Rico. Now I have to figure out what knitting to bring.

The other clog is too complicated to bring with the double stands/colors and too much concentration that is needed to finish. Besides- I might have messed up the heel and have to wait till I go back to knitting group for help.

The other Blue Seduction sock needs to be finished. I really am not thrilled with this sock and won't ever do this one again. But, so much time and money was invested in first one I will do the next. Maybe they will look better on my feet.

I might bring a Cabin Fever kit for a tank top I bought at Stitches. I worry about packing my Option Needles Set. If I take them as carry on they do look like weapons ;but if they are in suitcase they might get lost.The news reports about lost suitcases scares me. I would not want to lose my precious Options. So I will probably take Denise set but they catch so much at the joints and are so annoying.

I did not go to Weight Watchers again. I know I gained due to my nephew's wedding this last weekend.The entire bag of red licorice did not help either. I weighed myself this am and back on track with no gain. I am worrying about what I will be eating this coming week and hope I do not gain too much. My daughter and I love to eat out and drink a bit. Rum and diet cokes - how many points?

Worrying is a problem for me. I worry about the small things and wish I would not .I worry about things I can't control like if my Dad passes away while I am in Puerto Rico. I worry less now that I am retired. Teaching and the kid's problems would keep me awake. My mother is a major worrier and it is annoying..I worry about being a worrier like her.

good news about Buddy

The vet called and asked if we could bring Buddy in today. She took another sonogram and urine tests. She see no tumor like the other vet and thinks the other vet might have seen a blood mass that has since gone.

I started to cry I was so happy. Buddy is not out of the woods yet but it is not a tumor or cancer. They sent his urine to another lab for testing and he is on more antibiotics. What a scare the other vet gave us. Buddy is a family - in fact I like him better than some of my human family.

Kal Dish Cloth

Buddy update...He is the pug in the middle..

Day 2 April Dish Cloth KAl
Someone mentioned doing 2 or 3 dish cloths are the same time on the KAL so I am trying it out. I get so excited over learning something like this.It makes sense to do 2 or maybe 3 at the same time. This KAL is a simple one to try this out for the first time. I am using Debbie Bliss Pure cotton and it is so soft that these would make good baby wash clothes.

Buddy goes to the vet on Thursday to see what our options are and to do further tests. Since he took the antibiotics for his UTI he is doing much better. The vet called today and said they have to look closer at his tumor and see where it is located exactly in order to determine what they can do.