Two Black Sheep

Bold as Love

Just wanted to share a bright spot in a still very hectic house.  I won this yarn from Ms. Frick & it came at a wonderful time.  The holidays are insane every year, but this year it was extremely insane & this yarn was a nice surprise.  I have the perfect pattern just begging to be pulled out of the folder.  Thanks, Julie & I'm looking forward to your return to the blog!

We had an ultrasound last Wednesday to determine the size of TBA.  The OB is pretty sure that if we'd go to term, TBA would be slightly smaller than Gus.  Ok, that's fine news.  I'm not sure that I believe him, but we'll go with it.  I was also told that he's breech & probably won't flip since I have low amniotic fluid.  It wasn't so low that he rushed me to the hospital that day, but today we have to have a high-risk ultra-sound to determine just how low I am.  He seemed to think that I would be fine, but he just wants to be safe. 

Getting that news was a hard crack in the face.  All along I've been thinking that we'd be "safe" until the 2nd week of January.  I could freak out after the holidays and after a big football game.  Having someone tell you that there's a small possibility that we could have a baby before the new year, was difficult.  It isn't that we aren't ready with clothes & other material items, but it's that we'll soon have a newborn.  I know, I know, I have to have this child, but it stills freaks me out!  I didn't think I'd be as frightened with the second child, but I am.  I've explained this to people & they look at me & say, "Well, duh you have to have the baby!"  Trust me, I'm aware that the kid has to come out.  I'm running out of room people!  The past 2 weeks have been extremely uncomfortable & painful, but it's still easier than taking care of a newborn.  It isn't just the newborn routine, it's everything else.   Just like before we had Gus, we couldn't imagine how life would change after a kid.  Now we have to adjust our lives for another kid.  And it isn't that we don't want to, but I can't wrap my mind around it.  It's just so big & scary.  I still have a hard time whenever I hear someone call TBA by his actual name.  For some reason, I can't do it.  I usually just refer to him as "The Baby."  I told you I was crazy...  I won't even start in on the fact that we'll have a c-section.  That's a whole another day.      

So how do I deal with all this?  Yep, start a sweater that has no written pattern & needs 3 cable charts that need to be re-written for in the round knitting.  Sounds like a good idea, right?  Much better than tracking down all of our missing newborn clothes.  Much better than cleaning out the freezer.  Much better than cleaning up Christmas packages.  So much better.  I'll post pictures of the start of the Aran Saddle Shoulder soon, but I packed our camera in my hospital suitcase.  Just in case, the Doc says, "You're super low!  Now get to the room so we can't get this baby out!"

Take a look at the picture again.  See that fudge to left of the yarn?  That's probably one of the most disgustingly wonderful things I've ever made!  Chocolate Cheese Fudge.  I'm not sure that it even qualifies as "Cheese" fudge, since it isn't real cheese.  But fuck me, it's so good!

Ok, I'd better get ready for the Doc's visit.
-Lola

Edited Post:  Baby is fine.  Still breech.  Now we have to think about a ECV or schedule a C-section.  At least this Doc told us that the baby is big, and he said it a number of times.  Should be same size as Gus, but maybe a little larger.  Not that I was hoping for a big baby, but when the first Doc said I didn't look big enough to have a 9 pounder, I got pissed.  See?  It doesn't take much to piss me off.

Stuttering

Yesterday marked a big day for me as a mom - the girls went through security at Newark by themselves and flew without any accompaniment. Doesn't sound like a big deal, correct? Well, that is where you would be wrong. They are two years too old to have a flight attendant check in on them or to have their dad or me walk with them to the gate, and - despite what Continental's website says - we couldn't request a gate agent walk them to the correct gate (we tried and the "polite" rep at the check-in said no). So, off they went, calling us as they made it to the gate, got on the plane, landed in Orlando, and when their grandparents met them in the terminal. Pretty easy-peasy save for a mother who is slightly paranoid about their safety. Can't wait for the first day of college! I'm wondering if it is too early to lay the ground work for a six-week supply of Paxil.

After they were safely at gate C123, the Flyer and I made a quick trip into New York. I am still amazed at what one overhears on the train ("Do you like banana pudding?" Interesting, but really - banana pudding? "Why do you think you could be in a room with eight naked women and be okay?" Is this my stop? Fuck) Lola thought we were nuts to take off for the city on Black Friday, but it was far from crowded. Sure, some places were a mad house - a mad house, I tell you - but it didn't feel any worse than any other time I have been in there. The only things we must learn are that items on a map appear much further away than anticipated and the numbers in addresses have no direct correlation to blocks. After the Flyer wondered aloud if I was up for walking four more blocks from School Products to Forbidden Planet ("Honey, we're at 1201 Broadway and we need to walk to 840 . . . it's not that far"), I called Mom and asked her for explicit directions to Purl. Considering it was only a mile to Sullivan Street, and nearly a half-mile back to the last Subway that I saw, we hoofed it. I don't think that I adequately prepared him for the itsy-bitsiness of either of the Purls. He sat on a bench outside of Purl, taking in all the confused looks of people passing by. Lola called after my purchase in Purl (the exquisite Manos Silk Blend below for which I lovingly blame Margaux) and asked if she would fit inside. Truthfully, you would sweetie, but it wouldn't be fun and you might be the one making the heroin cracks . . . not me.

I tried to keep the fabric purchases to a minimum since I still don't know what I am doing with all of it, but pink and black were the colors of the day. Next week, I'll try to scan the fabric that I have and get started putting them on Flickr. Our school has Secret Santa coming up and I pulled one of our awesome school nurses; she creates some of the most stunning quilts so I picked up a bundle of fat quarters at Purl Patchwork for her. In addition, I bought some camel at School Products with the intention of making a scarf using the flame stitch pattern from one of the Walker books. Needless to say, I will get started on that once the Trellis and Leaf Shawl is done (it's terribly boring to photograph - sorry). I am down to six repeats and then the border . . . maybe I'll start it after the repeats are done.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and if you have Monday off like I do (benefits of living in a region that still "treasures" the first day of deer season . . . I just "treasure" the day off), get some knitting done. It's crunch time for the holiday season after all.

Ava

PS - Girls, if you are reading, miss you muchly!

The Killing Moon

Ava,
I'm guessing that you must be slammed at work.  No posts & no phone calls.  I understand.  Really I do.  So, I'll just keep updating you the ole fashion way; blogging.

I think that I beginning to nest.  I don't remember nesting with Gus.  It was more like, "Where in the hell are we going to put all this new stuff & a freakin' baby?  Time to clean out a closet."  Maybe with TBA this isn't nesting.  Maybe it's more like, "I can't bring a newborn into a house full of crap, filth, & dust bunnies."  So I've been tackling each room's tiny corners.  Goodwill is going to be very happy with Ms. Lola.  Also, this little vixen doesn't help matters.

If you love Amy Butler as much as Ava & I do, this book it for you.  It's full of fabric swatches, cozy home shots & cute clothing options.  I looked at SK & begged for the house in the book.  And I'm pretty sure that's when the nesting kicked in.  To get that house, we've got to start with a blank canvas.  Here's what I've learned 3 important facts by watching our crap pile up:

• If your shoe box has a nice solid layer of dust, you probably haven't worn them in a very long time.
• I must have gone through a Rachael Ray phase.  I just can't remember when.
• I don't need to buy yarn for the next 3 years.

And in the spirit of cleaning out closet, I visited a couple of local quilting shops for some Amy Butler material for a pair of wide-legged pj pants.  Funny how I came home with this pattern & some decorator weight material.  Looks like I'll try one more place before I head to Mom's tomorrow.  Why make your own pants, when Mommy does a nicer & faster job?

When I returned home, I found the yarn waiting in my mailbox.  So much for cleaning out closets.  There's always something I want to add, dammit!  LoomyMama needed some Cider Moon for a shawl that she's working on & I just happened to have the color in my stash.  I was willing to part with it, so we worked out a trade.  I got Wollmeise Sockenwolle (Tiefer See) in the deal.  It's a beautiful blend of greens & blues.  I think that it will make a lovely pair of Thelonious socks.  Now if I could tear myself away from Cat Bordhi's powerful grip.

Have a great weekend.  I'll be finishing a pair of toddler socks out of this yarn.  I've got to be real honest, it might become like drug to me.  I'm still amazed every time I pick up the little sucker.  "Really, $4.29?  But you're so soft Green Lantern sock," I say quietly to the sock.  I'm going to order some Essential very soon because it has the same fiber content.  And for $3.29, that's a shit-ton of cheap & soft baby hats, booties & adult socks.

-Lola

 

p.s. Speaking of addiction...  I love Knittingfriends.com!  I check it twice a day if I'm in the office (FYE, next week I won't be).  It's like peeking at someone else's Bloglines' subscription.  Sure, some of the blogs are on my roll, but some aren't.   Someone is doing all my blog searching work for me.  Thank you Unknown Blog Searcher.

 

Honey Honey

Sometimes I believe that the Post Office is employeed with mind-readers.  Last night, I used the remaining yarn for Melon (Batman, you are the winner!  More yarn ordered on Friday).  This morning, our trusty Mailwoman (is that the proper term?) delivered this nugget of joy!  Thank god I had the door shut.  She won't deliver our mail if the front door is opened.  Pup has not learned the proper etiquette on greeting guest.  Have you ever fallen in love with a yarn only to be disappointed when it reaches you hands?  It's like meeting a beautiful man with a lovely accent only to discover when you both stand up, he's 3 inches shorter than you.  Once again, Mom raised us to appreciate tall men.  Not that any of our husbands tower over us, but they're all taller & that what counts for her.  With the Oregon Red Clover Honey, I was starting to think that maybe I had built her up.  Maybe when I saw her my heart would sink & she'd sit in the basket for a couple months until I finally agreed to sell her to a proper home.  When Pup was barking longer than usual, I knew the Mailman (sorry, I could not type Mail woman again) was fumbling for something big.  I finished up some work before I ripped the package open; I wanted to savor my fiber.  And wow, did she live up to the hype.  Gorgeous and thick.  I love a nice heavy lace weight makes me feel like I'm cheating.  I even smelled her thinking that she'd have a honey scent, and I wasn't even pissed when she just smelled like wool.  I'm going to seam up the BSJ tonight and just let Honey sit on the table.  I want to ogle her like Angelina on the cover of Vogue or the Beckhams' W photo shoot.  After a nice long look, I'll wind her up and get started. 

I had to add in the book that I'm currently reading.  When I'm pregnant, I think that I eat very well.  When I'm not eating for 2, I don't gorge myself on junk food, but I'm certainly not conscious of what I'm eating.  When I'm busy & on the road most of the week, fast food & I are buddies.  Maybe 50% of the time, I'll get the grilled chicken option.  But who are we kidding, fast food chicken & fast food beef aren't good options for your body.  Now that I'm back on the baby horse, it's back to thinking about my food choices.   I try to each a bunch of spinach & whole grains.  Lots of water.  Plain yogurt with fruit instead of the prepackage fruit yogurt.  Etc. etc. etc.  My food kick is probably why I'm really enjoying the book.  The author moves her family to live only off of what their land or neighbor's farm can produce.  She also sprinkles in facts about agriculture throughout the chapters.  It really makes me miss our Grandparent's farm.  My mother grew up on a farm & we spent many days there as kids.  Last night while I was reading, I was sad that Gus & all the other grandkids missed out on those trips.  I'll skip the sentimental rant, it's just a fascinating book for any food lover.

-Lola

p.s. Found a nice honey tea at Trader Joe's.  Have I said how much I love that store?!  The tea is nice & sweet, but not enough to rot your teeth.  It's decaf, so I'm about to brew some iced tea later this afternoon.

Mustang Sally

. . . ride, Sally, ride! God, how I love this song and now this yarn. It is luscious, it is lovely, it is sexy! Can one truly make a sexy knit sock? Somehow, I think it can be done with this yarn. Knowing me, however, it will be more like Marion the Librarian (no offense, Susan or Shannon), but I'll give it the old college try. I'm looking for a slutty lace pattern, but I'll make it up if I have to. And, yes, this is my lame attempt at a Fiberlicious Friday post; take a gander at the much better submissions.

But first, Grace. What can I say about Grace? First, I love . . . no, adore . . . the name. Had we had one more child (and a girl), Grace would have been a top contender for the name. However, now it is the name of a pattern, which bites at my ass every time I think about it. Not that the pattern is that challenging - it's kind of easy, in all honesty - but the yarn is so sucky that it defies an explanation. When Bev was giving away some of her stash, I saw she had a ball in the offing and I nearly broke out into tears. The yarn is unbelievably soft (hence the name Soft Baby), but the real pisser is how it snags on any dry skin that one may have. For a chick with hang nails, this isn't the yarn of my dreams . . . not even close.

Anyway, Grace must be done soon because I made a 4T and Beaner is three. Granted, she is a tiny three-year-old (she and Gus are the same size), but I don't want to take any chances. Besides, she'll be five by the time I see either a picture or have knowledge that our sister received the sweater. Have a lovely weekend! We're taking the girls to see Superbad (c'mon . . . George Michael is in it . . . need I say more?) which may be as uncomfortable as the time we took them to see 40-Year-Old Virgin. We'll see

Ava

PS - Hey, Lola, the dog is really upset with me since I am trying to ween her off the futon in the basement. I just caught her sitting and resting her chin on it, making that deep depressing sigh of hers. Silly pup!

Beat's So Lonely

Not sure if this even constitutes a "Fiberlicious Friday" post, but here is my lame attempt at it. Amazing what a new toy will inspire one to do. I took one quick photo of the Flyer last night, but I plan on figuring out how to do self portraits of the two of us; seventeen plus years of them seems too long to throw away simply because of a new camera.

The Handmaiden SeaSilk is truly a yarn to die for . . . but I don't know what to do with it. Lola suggested the scarf from the summer issue of Interweave Knits so that is a possibility. Any other suggestions? I have one hank in the Rose Garden colorway.

 

Hydrangeas are my favorite flower and, ironically enough, there are three mature bushes on our property. None of this is due to my gardening skills (nothing going on in these thumbs except ineptitude), but the one in the back yard is blooming in all its goodness. I couldn't resist using the macro function on it. Humor me, people . . . I promise there will be photos of knits coming soon (as soon as those sock blockers get here).

Ava

Bad Obsession

Ava,

I was on the road again and had LOTS of time to kill before I could check-in to my rat lovin' hotel (wasn't really just the hotel, the entire city was Rat-Lovin').  I decided to check out a few yarn stores along my route.  I picked up these two Knitting Pure & Simple patterns.  I enjoy their designs.  Obviously they're pure & simple knitting.  Or as I refer to them, Knitting-That-Can-be-Done-Anywhere-on-This-Planet.  Yes, I probably could figure  them out without forking over, but sometimes I like to have all the work done for me.  Right there in the middle of the store, I started thinking crazy thoughts.  What if I used the June Carter for the T-Shirt pattern?  Is that really insane of me?  Variegated yarn for a sweater?  I'm not sure if the gauge of the yarn would work for the cardigan, but am I finally starting to crack?  I love the colors of this yarn, but I can't get it to work for shit.  I've tried simple lace patterns for a scarf, but everything seems to go all wonky.  I was starting to think that the yarn was destined to be just another Clapotis.  And don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Clapotis.  I made about 4 of them for gifts and such.  I might have Clapotis burn-out.  Am I ready to mount that beast again?  So should this lovely yarn cake turn into another beloved scarf?  There is one drop stitch pattern in the Vogue Stitchionary that looks promising (pg. 69 Seafoam Pattern)  Or should I try to be adventurous and make a small sweater out of it?   Be real honest, can variegated yarn work as something more than a scarf or socks?

Side note: Today is SK birthday.  Here's the conversation I had with a bookseller:

• "I know that Bruce Campbell has written 2 books.  The first is called If Chins Could Kill, but I can't think of the second title.  Could you help me?"
• Click Click Clickty Click
• "It's Make Love giggle giggle the Bruce Campbell Way snort giggle."
• "Thank you kindly."

I doubt she's never seen The Adventures of Bristo County Jr.  Well, Poo-Poo on you ma'am.

-Lola

Clueless

Lola -

When the Flyer and I were in Las Vegas, I bought a ball of SWTC Tofutsies and three hanks of Classic Elite's Miracle in aubergine because it was so soft. You know what a weakness I have for soft yarn. But here's the rub . . . what the hell do I do with three hanks, or 324 yards, of this lushious yarn? I am open to any suggestion as I am without a clue. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time. Help!

Ava

On a Clear Day

Lola -

You know that on Monday evenings, I attend Weight Watchers with about twenty or so other folks: young, old, men, women, those at goal, those with a while to go. I usually sit with the same woman every meeting named Tricia who is also a knitter (I showed you her pattern in Socks Socks Socks. Tricia and I both joined the Rockin' Sock Club, and while I have one and a half of the February shipment done, Tricia has a variety of projects in the works, some paid from our LYS, some for pure pleasure. Last week, while I was working on the chevron scarf and passing over the first Inside Out sock for her approval, Tricia pulled out the coolest looking log cabin pillow topper ever. She was knitting it for her father, out of left over hand spun from her very vast surplus (Did I mention that she is also a wonderful spinner? I actually purchased her yarn before I met her). Two stripes were from quiviet that she spun for it seems that Tricia has the lucky habbit of having quiviet literally dumped in her lap. Her parents actually gathered some for her on the tundra, and a friend shipped her a box from Denmark in the past. Amazing! For me, yarn has come in three varieties: wool, acrylic, and cotton. It is only recently that I have been welcoming other fibers like alpaca, silk, and the like onto my needles. I told Tricia that I have always wanted to try quiviet after I read about it in Arctic Lace, and I must say that after obsessively rubbing her samples, quiviet might be the next "exotic" fiber I try. However, cashmere, which is something new for me, will be the next lovely to grace my tips.

The flowers were too pretty not to share. I wonder if the flowers in Brazil will be this pretty. Why does the Bro think that we would want to come to Brazil for his wedding? And why would the Archbishop perform the ceremony? Lest any of you think that he is marrying a Brazilian lady, think again. The Bro gets some rather half baked ideas . . . and then gets mad at you when you don't immediately hop to. Other than his drama-rama, the weekend was lovely with Mom and Dad and the Flyer's folks.

I listed some stuff on DeStash - Cash for Your Stash this afternoon if you are interested. A lot of stuff I forgot that I bought and then couldn't remember the reason I bought it. Must make notes . . . or knit faster! Kiss the two-year-old for me!

Ava

A Long Walk

Ava-
So I made it home safely, tired, but safely.  I had enough time in the Newark & during the jaunt to D.C. to finish my G-Rocks.  This accomplishment led to some interesting knitting activities.  There's nothing like knitting lace at an airport bar.  To add to the interest, plied baby camel is like knitting with 4 separate pieces of sewing thread.  I think the bartender was impressed, but not enough to float me a beer.

My Philly update will not be as impressive as Ava's.  My memory is drifting away, lack of proper sleep will do that to a girl.  Before we boarded the train, we stopped at Kraemer's for some Tatamy Tweed Worsted.  I've swatched, washed & believe that US 6 will do me fine for the Half Dollar.  Fingers crossed, please.

After a quick stop at Starbucks (why do people let their large dogs walk around parking lots & then into the shop?), we went to the train station.  Since we just missed a train, we decided to enjoy a couple beers, NASCAR and people-watching.  I don't think the bar saw many women walk through the door.  Men actually offered their stools.  How sweet.

The night before, I stayed awake & practiced walking through a turnstile.  Push. Push.  No, don't pull!  Philly's transportation got the new & improved Lola!  We hit Rosie's Yarn Cellar first and grabbed more Noro, Folk Shawls & a set of the breast cancer Denise needles.  I'm sure that someone got more cashmere, but I can't remember.  It's a really good guess as it remained a hot commodity in Philly.  From there, we grabbed a delicious lunch at Ten Stone to fuel up for Loop.

Loop was our favorite yarn store in the 2007 Yarn Extravaganza (however, I love my purchases from School Products the most).  The store was well lit, large enough to walk around and had a nice staff that didn't make you feel like you were a bother.  We also saw an electronic ball winder that we're both coveting.  Ava grabbed some Lorna's Lace, Blue Sky Dyed Cotton & more cashmere.  I was almost  tempted by the shrug/cardigan in the window, but I was being realistic.  I had just bought enough sock yarn, yak, camel and cotton to knit sweaters for the entire Jolie-Pitt clan, plus the others that will surely follow.  Take me, Angie.  Take me.

One more stop at Lush and we were back on the train home.  B & V came with us to Philly, & kept us in line.  No eyes were rolled.  Not a lot of vulgar language. No dancing on the corners.  But they did leave us at Urban Outfitters, and the picture below was snapped.  Who sells a hat like this?  I guess the question should be, who buys a hat like this?  I'm not passing judgment, promise, but you could make it for 1/2 the price!

To be honest, we were slap-happy.  We were also really annoyed with cell phones.  Just because you can have an entire conversation about your evening, doesn't mean you should!  Go outside!  I don't want to hear that Danny can't handle his liquor.  I'm sorry that Molly has crabs, but I don't want or need to hear it.  I don't think he was amused by the hat.

Somewhere along the route, we ran into this little fellow.  Thanks to the girls for a heads-up.  The Hubbys were happy.  Probably even proud.

So that's the big 2007 Yarn Extravaganza!  Next time we hope to drop in on some knitbloggers.  We did run into some (a little Googling led us to them. we're not proud), but we don't have kind things to say.  And we  gave up being mean for Lent.  Not really, but it sounds nice.  We had a fantastic time in both NYC & Philly.  That's not really fair.  We always seem to have fun when we're together.  Whether it's large cities, a 16-hour car ride with a 5 month-old, or a pond full of goose shit.  But that's how sisters roll...
-Lola