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)

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?