A Girl's Life

Christmas Knitting Part 1

2009-11-12T14:41:00.000-06:00

I was a lazy butt and didn't take any photos of my projects last night. I am please to report, that I have 2 things done, 1 more than half done, and a firm plan for the remaining 4. Now, all I have to do is stop adding things (damn you Ravelry!!!!) and quit agreeing the "just whip up" things for other people.

Here is the list:
NOTE: If you are related to me (although, I'm pretty sure none of you know about this blog), you'd better turn back now or risk not being properly surprised when you open your gifts.

1 Clapotis in Malabrigo worsted for my sister
1 Clapotis in a really nice, locally dyed lace weight for my sister-in-law
1 Feather and Fan (local yarn store pattern nor on Ravely - sorry!) scarf for my mother in Malabrigo lace weight
1 pair Dashing for my brother in Cascade 220
same for my brother-in-law
Attempt number 2 on a Turn a Square hat for my father (he has a really big head)
1 Christmas stocking for my brand new baby nephew (pattern to be determined)

Whew! It's all small things and should go fast. Of course, I keep getting distracted and then, there are the projects I agreed to knit (while semi-inebriated) for my aunt to give as gifts. I am a sucker. See patterns here, here and here.

What are you working on?

Oh. My. Gosh.

2009-11-11T09:31:00.002-06:00

Watch this. Holy smokes.

Hello??

2009-11-11T09:00:00.002-06:00

Whoa. It hs been a long time. Sorry about that. Is anyone still out there? I would totally understand if not.

So, what happened there? Well, my husband and I made this huge decision to finally buy a new house. We've been living in a super tiny house for 9 years and it was just time. We have completely out grown the space and we'd like a little more peace and quiet than can be found in the middle of an urban area.

So, we found a realtor, secured financing, made lists of must haves/wish fors and started searching . . . 11 months ago. Yeah. To date, we have looked at 85+ houses, made offers on 5, had offers accepted on 2 and still we haven't moved. Can you say stressful? We are still waiting to hear whether or not our offer has been accepted by the bank on a short sale that we found 3 months ago (yikes!). The current housing market may be a "buyer's", but it sure feels like it more so belongs to the banks. And then we still need to sell our current house. Grr!

I am tired of having my life put on hold by a maybe someday change and so I am turning a leaf. I will update more, make plans for the future that are not dependent on where I'm living (or when I may be moving) and try to just let some of this stress go. In the meantime, there has been knitting (Christmas is coming!) and cooking and baking. I promise to post pictures and recipes soon and get this whole blog thing rolling again.

Thanks for being here and thanks for listening.

Go Team Nature!

2009-03-06T07:38:00.003-06:00

This story in my local newspaper makes me surprisingly happy. Despite all odds (hello urban sprawl!), nature is taking back the neighborhood.

It's kind of cool to think that areas that seem so settled are still, really, quite wild.

Get On the Chain Gang!

2009-02-09T08:16:00.002-06:00

The Food Chain that is!

I am really excited to announce that I have been chosen to participate in the Blake Makes Food Chain. Thanks Blake!!

What's happening is this - Blake has asked bloggers throughout the country to take a video camera (that he is generously sending around), tape a food story that is meaningful to them and then pass the camera on to the next person.

My turn is coming up in March. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but have some ideas percolating in my head. Stay tuned and check out the Food Chain page for some great food videos.

My Favorite Things - Part 2

2009-02-09T08:02:00.006-06:00

This is actually a new favorite thing, but wow! where has it been all my life.

I am talking about the Amano Artisan Chocolate Jembrana bar. Mmmmm . . .

I was fortunate to be able to sample this delight through a giveway on Blake Makes. Prior to receiving the Jembrana bar, my main chocolate loves had consisted of the Lindor Truffles and Kit-Kats (don't judge me!).

I had never really tried "artisan" chocolate and was not so sure it would be anything special. Boy, was I wrong. The texture was smooth and thr flovor was rich without being bitter. A very easy treat to enjoy. I would definitely class this as an indulgence, but well worth it for special occasion (or really bad day) imbibement.

Get thee to the store now and try it. You won't be dissapointed.

My Favorite Things - Part 1

2009-02-09T07:49:00.009-06:00

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Nothing helps kick the mid-winter blues like spending time in a super warm and humid space surrounded by green things and blooming things.

Brrr!

2009-01-15T07:39:00.007-06:00

Greetings from the frozen tundra! Okay, not really, it's just Minnesota which only feels like the frozen tundra today.

I listen to the news in the morning while getting ready. Today, they kept saying things like "coldest day in 5 years" and "schools closed" and "the end is nigh". All of which made me think that I needed to assess the situation for myself.

I first checked the super cool digital weather station that we have (the top line is supposed to be outside information).

Hmm . . . it doesn't seem to be reading any temperature at all. Odd.

So then, I checked the gauge outside the back door . . .

Well that's not promising. Crap, but it is pretty old.

So, I resigned myself to my fate, put on my warmest coat and mittens, grabbed my purse and headed out the door for work.

I knew it was really cold when the car complained about starting. And it's new. Ugh. As I sat there shivering, I remembered that I have an outside temperature reading thing on my dash. Well, there's still hope. It can't possibly be that cold. let's just see what that says . . .

Yeah, I guess it really is as cold as they say.

I'll be here huddled in my warm coat until the thaw, maybe in June. Send yarn! And firewood! Ooo! And one of those dogs with the little barrels of brandy on its collar would be awesome too. Thanks!!!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas . . .

2008-12-23T10:32:00.011-06:00

I have decamped to the Pacific Northwest for the holidays and am enjoying tons and tons of snow. While we in MN are very well equipped to handle this, Seattle and Portland are not. We are doing a lot more walking than driving and enjoying the cities just the same.

I've never been to either city before and am doing my best to enjoy them despite the poor weather conditions. I am a Starbucks addict, so we made a point of heading down to Pike's Place Market in Seattle to visit the flagship store.

And you know I hit some knitting store out here too. I heartily recommend Hilltop Yarn in the Queen Anne are of Seattle, Twisted in Portland and the Dublin Bay Knitting Company, also in Portland. Thank you so much to the gracious staff/owners I met in each. I hope to return one day soon.

Also on the knitting front, I finished and blocked all of my Christmas knits before we left - hooray!!!!! I hope my family and friends love them (or at least humor me and pretend to).

Today, we are in Portland and tomorrow we are heading out of the city a ways to spend Christmas with my husband's family in a town called Dufur. In-laws . . . think happy thoughts for me.

Have a wonderful and joyous holiday season and stay warm!

The World's Cutest Pug Strikes Again

2008-12-12T13:27:00.002-06:00

Updates on holiday knitting coming soon (spoiler - I finished!!).

For now, I give you this:

A Letter

2008-11-17T07:27:00.004-06:00

Dear City of Saint Paul,

Hi! So, it's starting to be winter around here again. I'm sure you've noticed what with the flurries and feezing rain and all. Um . . . so . . . not to be picky, but would it be too much to ask that you sand/salt the roads in the more "urban" areas of the city? I do enjoy the snowy weather, but much more so appreciate being able to stop my car from sliding through major intersections. I'd like to live at least until Christmas so I can give out all of these gifts I've been working on. Thanks!

P.S. Um . . . So, street sweeping? Are we not doing that in every neighborhood this year? Because, yeah, I've seen you guys out, just not near me. I have some leaf goo all over my street that I would love to see gone before it gets too snowy. Thanks!

A Semi-Quiet Weekend

2008-11-17T07:16:00.003-06:00

Not much crafting news to report fromt his weekend. I started and am almost finished with this hat for my husband, but that's about it. I did spend several hours on Saturday raking and gathering up leaves. Oy! We have a lot of leaves (I raked a pile taller than me) and all from 1 tree! Talk about your workout.

I did some shopping - I am almost done with things that need to be bought which feels really good. I need to get some sort of big gift for him which is always a challenge. Maybe a watch? Tools? Ugh!

I set myself up for some more crafting insanity by buying glitter, stamps and paint because apparently I really need to make some ornaments for people and, of course, stamp up my own gift wrap. Yeah, I'm a little insane. I hope to work all of that up this week and will post pics.

How was your weekend?

That New Yarn Smell . . .

2008-11-13T06:50:00.010-06:00

Even kitties love it!

My cat, Cooper, was excited to get a whiff of the awesome Lorna's Laces sock yarn that Heather (aka The ADD Knitter) sent. Thank you so much, Heather!

And, on the Holiday Craft Spaz Out-a-Thon front (see button on right), I have some finished items to report:

That's 2 Hurricane Hats (blue for my Dad and grey/tan for my brother-in-law) and a Morningside Neckwarmer for my father in-law. This leaves me with a hat for my husband and a cowl for my step-mother-in-law to finish. Except . . . oh wait . . . yeah . . . I'm crazy and really think I need to make myself a pair of these first. And maybe some mitered mittens, and I really should make a dog sweater . . . Help.

Cooper loves finished objects too!

It's Here!

2008-11-07T08:31:00.003-06:00

Snow has officially come to Minnesota. When I left for work this morning, it was dark and it looked more like rain. It wasn't until I got in my car and saw the windshield that I realized it was rain's chillier sibling, snow. Darn . . . I just don't feel ready for all of the wet pant hems, crappy driving and manual labor (shoveling). Oh, well. Welcome, snow!

Holiday Knitting Status Report

2008-11-03T07:37:00.008-06:00

I am making progress - hooray!!!! Only 3 items that I need to make left (2 hats and a cowl which is well underway). I am feeling a lot more comfortable now. I know they are all small items and logically I know they don't take very long to make, but I am kind of anal and feel much happier knowing that, with a month to go, I am well ahead of schedule.

So, here is where I am so far:

Hats/mittens for my sister and brother's girlfriend (I embroidered the hats after I took this photo - cute!), malabrigo cowl and Fetching mitts for my Mom, cowl for my brother out of Berocco Jasper,

Toasty mitts for my niece and a modified (i.e. much shorter) pair of Toasty mitts for my aunt out of Noro Silk Garden.

This was my very first time working with the Noro Silk Garden and I was really impressed - the colors were amazing and it was really soft. Maybe I will make myself something with it . . .

Dressing Up Your Pet is Fun aka My Brother is Silly

2008-10-31T10:48:00.006-05:00

This is Buddy. He is a pug owned by my brother and his lovely girlfriend, Beth. He is dressed as a deli ham. Note the pineapple ring and cherry.

And, this is Beth. She is a deli worker. Poor Buddy . . .

A Thank You and Some Welcomes

2008-10-31T10:34:00.004-05:00

I recently weighed in on a give away over at The ADD Knitter for some super lovely sock yarn. I enter for things all the just for the fun of it, but never reall expect to win.

This time, however, was different . . .

I totally won! That's right, the beautiful Lorna's Laces is mine!

Let me just say a very enthusiastic THANK YOU to The ADD Knitter. You really made my day (week/month) and I am so, so apppreciative.

The other way nice thing that The ADD Knitter did for me, was to send all sorts of lovely new readers my way. And so, to all of you who came here from The ADD Knitter, I say . . .

WELCOME!!!! Make yourselves at home.

Weekend Craftiness

2008-10-23T07:05:00.007-05:00

I am not typically a Martha Stewart devotee, but something about the glittery pumpkin project really appeals to me. Defintely an instant gratification type thing.

My mom and I did this a few years ago and the pumpkins turned out great and lasted through Thanksgiving so not only instant gratification, but staying power which makes it all good in my book.

Here's what you do:

Gather up some pumpkins in a variety of sizes, white glue (aka school glue), super fine glitter (which I couldn't find so I used regular), paint for the stems and a few brushes for applying the glue and paint.

Paper plates or newspaper are a good idea to for easy cleanup and scooping up of the extra glitter. Of course, if you're like me, you will still end up with glitter all over yourself, your house and your cat. It's festive!

Anyway, pour some glue onto a small plate or bowl. Apply evenly to pumpkin. Pour the glitter over the glut coated pumpkin and shake off the excess. Set aside to dry. Repeat. I told you, so easy. After they finish drying, paint the stems. Dry some more and then display proudly like so:

Holiday Knitting aka I Am Insane

2008-10-17T10:51:00.004-05:00

So . . . With the knitting madness, I have decided that I should make handknits for everyone for Christmas. I am insane, but it is a controlled insanity . . . for now. Oh, and if you are in any way related to me - STOP READING RIGHT NOW! Thank you.

Anyway, I am list maker and really need to get a handle on this, so I sat down last night and came up with:

Mom - Fetching mitts and Birthday Cowl
Dad - Hat
Hubby - Hat
Brother - Gloria Cowl
Sister - Mittens and hat
Brother's GF - Mittens and hat
Niece - Fetching mitts
Father-in-law - Morningside Neckwarmer
Step-mother-in-law - Birthday Cowl
Aunt - Fetching mitts

Alright, not bad. All fairly small and easily done projects. Well, I decide this morning ('cause I'm kind of insane) that maybe I need to make felted bags for my husband's cousin and her daughter. Except, then I'd have to make something for her son and her mother and OMG where does it stop?

Send help!

Serious Sweater Lust

2008-10-08T13:44:00.004-05:00

I love sweaters. Wooly, warm, cozy sweaters. I am heavy in to Ravelry and keep seing all of these beatiful sweater patterns. The knitting blogs are just as full of inspiration. The problem is, I'm scared. I admit it. I have never made a sweater before and the prospect is pretty intimidating.

I think that I am finally ready to lose my sweater knitting virginity . . . I've fallen in love with a project that is pretty popular . . . everyone swears it's easy . . . I think I'm ready for this:

Yes, it's the Gathered Pullover. I am in love.

A Beginning

2008-10-08T07:27:00.000-05:00

I have never had a blog before . . . long time reader, first time blogger? Some things about me: I live in Minnesota in the same city I was born/raised in. I am married with no kids. I have a cat named Cooper who will show up from time to time. I knit, read, travel, cook and work at a law school. I will talk about pretty much all of those things. I like pink a lot, but never wear it. I enjoy being a girl. Welcome.