tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27292443460347610192024-02-07T06:43:48.554-05:00Two Pointy Sticks....and a Heck of a Lot of String(Does the world really need another knitting blog?)Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.comBlogger908125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-13484789587954034792015-06-19T14:43:00.001-04:002015-06-19T14:43:54.442-04:00A New (But Not the Newest) LippmanI sat down Wednesday, next to one of my To-Be-Read stacks of books, and thought, "Oh, I have the new Laura Lippman...perfect!" I picked <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Tess-Monaghan-Novel/dp/0062083422/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434737616&sr=1-1&keywords=laura+lippman" target="_blank">Hush, Hush</a> up off the pile...and before I could open it, my eyes scanned down the stack...and down...and down. And there was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/After-Im-Gone-Laura-Lippman/dp/0062083414/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434737616&sr=1-3&keywords=laura+lippman" target="_blank">After I'm Gone</a>, her 2014 stand-alone. So, down went <em>Hush, Hush</em> and up came <em>After I'm Gone</em>. <br />
<br />
And now I'm done. And I loved it. No big surprise there. I've liked all of Lippman's books to varying degrees...tend to like the stand-alones <em>very</em> slightly better than the Tess Monaghan ones (though I loved the insertions of Tess and Crow in this book). And maybe I'm a little less critical because Lippman writes so lovingly of Baltimore and, even more so than with Anne Tyler, generally a Baltimore I feel as though I recognize, a Baltimore I lived in for the first decade or so of my life. <br />
<br />
The germ of this story was a real event in the 70's...the as-yet-unsolved disappearance of a Baltimore crook. Like that guy, the crook in this story (Felix Brewer) left behind his wife (Bambi), three daughters, and a mistress (Julie). But Lippman doesn't focus on Felix, though he's in the thoughts of all the women. Instead she examines how his disappearance shapes the lives (and death) of the women he leaves behind. (I found the three daughters and their relationships especially appealing.)<br />
<br />
The book alternates chapters dealing with the years between Felix and Bambi's first meeting and chapters following Sandy Sanchez's cold-case investigation, an investigation he is carrying out as a contractor for the city. Sanchez is an interesting character, too, and I enjoyed learning his back story. (By the end of the book, it looks as though he is going to team up with Tess Monaghan, so now I really will have to hurry up and read <em>Hush, Hush</em>!)<br />
<br />
My only quibble...and it's a small one and probably one that would only occur to a Baltimorean...at one point Sandy is chatting with a guy about a body found in Leakin Park and the guy says something like "I get it. You think I had my heart attack because I carried this body into the park." And Sandy's inner radar gives a little beep because, he thinks, "Nothing was released about [the victim] being dumped. Why doesn't he assume the killing took place where the body was found?" Come on, Laura!! We all know Leakin Park's the <em>dumping</em> ground, not the killing ground. Whenever I hear of a body being found in Leakin Park, I always think someone dumped it there. But, as I said, a small quibble.<br />
<br />
So, if you like mysteries with a strong sense of location, mysteries where family secrets are brought to light, mysteries with well-rounded characters...give this one a read.<br />
<br />
<em></em>Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-79538539161571984682015-02-20T17:37:00.000-05:002015-02-20T23:29:15.652-05:00Love Letter To My Knitting<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBb10Z2wvOY8cMz9AupOCmig86jXyzFoMwRGgEQcTDSN6yXk5i_QmYWRdZGdPLo3VUs4Pr0AXcyhkkmWmSxhkYZuti3QEOIUuj8S7cKvSyL27cp9xF32OBsyExH5Sm15XByUtkmdCawU/s1600/cowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBb10Z2wvOY8cMz9AupOCmig86jXyzFoMwRGgEQcTDSN6yXk5i_QmYWRdZGdPLo3VUs4Pr0AXcyhkkmWmSxhkYZuti3QEOIUuj8S7cKvSyL27cp9xF32OBsyExH5Sm15XByUtkmdCawU/s1600/cowl.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a><br />
Dear Cowl...Sweet Cowl...Wonderful <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/3-color-cashmere-cowl">3-Color Cashmere Cowl</a>,</div>
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We knew that eventually this would have to end. We’ve
been together for a almost month and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. The tidy
ribbing, the neat rows of eyelets, the skinny stripes (with the surprise pop of color), the subtly enticing all-over pattern of tiny purl bumps, the lace
(oh, the lace!)…and now here we are on the last set of jaunty stripes.
Fourteen more rows and then the last little tryst for the final ribbing…and
then there are only the last bits of the affair...the washing (you out of my
hair), the blocking (all calls and messages) and the weaving in of loose ends
(throwing out the detritus you’ve left around the house).</div>
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But if I know you, you’ll be hanging round my neck…and I’ll
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cute. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Just…a word of warning. Don’t go green with jealousy
should I decide to make a second one. (I like you too much in browns and
madder.) But you know, one in white, cobalt, and sunny, sunny yellow
would also be fun…and yes, I may have already bought the yarn. And yes,
someday I will be buying cashmere for a third one…and maybe that cashmere one
will end up being my favorite…but you’ll always be my first. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Fondly,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Your Loving Knitter</div>
Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-61760732192234985822015-02-08T20:46:00.000-05:002015-02-11T20:19:19.027-05:00Hercule Poirot, Let Him Rest In PeaceI finished Sophie Hannah's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monogram-Murders-Hercule-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/006229721X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423445953&sr=1-3&keywords=sophie+hannah"><u>The Monogram Murders</u></a> this morning.<br />
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I should start by saying that I am a huge Christie fan. I spent much of my babysitting money (all 50 cents an hour!) on paperback Christie mysteries purchased in the basement of the University Bookstore in Charlottesville. My favorites were the Miss Marple mysteries but I also loved Hercule.<br />
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When it was announced that Sophie Hannah was going to be writing a new Poirot mystery, I was dubious. At that point I hadn't read any of Hannah's books but just the thought of someone trying to recreate the magic...it didn't seem possible. But then, a month or so ago, I read a Hannah mystery - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kind-Cruel-Zailer-Waterhouse-Mystery/dp/0143124625/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423445849&sr=1-6&keywords=sophie+hannah">Kind of Cruel</a><u> </u>- and thought it was pretty enjoyable. So I thought I'd wait and get <u>The Monogram Murders </u>from the library. And then I read a glowing review in the NYT Book Review section of <u>The Monogram Murders</u>. So I bought the book.<br />
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Mistake.<br />
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It's an overwritten, over-convoluted, so-complicated-you-end-up-not-carrying-who-did-what-to-whom mystery. Poirot is obnoxious...his character is just off somehow.* And his Scotland Yard sidekick, Catchpool (Hastings...oh how I missed Hastings...is mentioned once by Poirot) is an idiot. A neurotic idiot. A <i>stupid </i>neurotic idiot. And the mystery is not just over-complicated, it's totally unbelievable. <br />
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Let's let Poirot rest easy now. Let's not dig him up again. And, for God's sake, leave Miss Marple alone!<br />
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* Edited days later to add - I can tell you one scene that really seemed off to me. Poirot's standing over a grave (a 13-year old grave -- he didn't know the people) and says that it needs flowers. Catchpool says something about it being November so no flowers and Poirot bends down and draws a flower in the mud with his finger. So, so un-Poirot!) Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-82160601115297358752015-02-06T21:03:00.002-05:002015-02-06T21:03:56.714-05:00Oh...Hey There...So, I've been ignoring this silly blog. I mean, it had gotten so that it was boring <i>me </i>and I was the one writing it. So I stopped for a while. And the while stretched out and now, here we are, almost two and a half years later. My, how time flies.<br />
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I don't know if I'll be making posting a regular thing. I spend a lot of time on Ravelry, so I have less need to write about my knitting. Though I <i>am </i>still knitting a lot. Right now I'm participating in the Loopy Academy, run by The Loopy Ewe, an amazing yarn shop out in Colorado. I have three projects that I need to complete in the next four months, with the parameters for those projects set by Sheri (The Loopy Ewe's owner). I've done the first one already, a slipped stitch cowl, and have started the second, which has to be striped. (Another cowl.) The last project had to be something felted...haven't decided on that one yet. And I like the slipped stitch cowl well enough but I may be doing something else in its place...it's not really that impressive.<br />
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Reading...nothing has really thrilled me so far this year. Right now I'm reading Sophie Hannah's reincarnation of Hercule Poirot...The Monogram Mystery. It's...okay. Something is slightly off with Poirot and his policeman sidekick, someone named Catchpool, is incredibly irritating. Still, I'm sure there was something good I've read in the last couple of years that I should mention. <br />
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And maybe I'll even remember how to add pictures!<br />
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Let's see how long I keep this up...if it seems to be sticking around, maybe I'll let people know...."She's ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ck!"Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-43812558215704189092012-08-04T13:50:00.002-04:002012-08-04T13:55:07.305-04:00It's Not Like I Haven't Been Busy....(Chinese food for dinner tonight so I thought I ought to throw a little more exercise into the mix to counterbalance some of the Chicken with Asparagus calories. And as long as I'm here entering exercise, I might as well try to get a post written. Don't know that it'll get posted before tomorrow, but it'll get started.)<br />
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There have been some shawls rolling off the needles.<br />
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It was so cold in our new office space that the idea of shawls suddenly became oh, so attractive. Here's a recent one, done in an angora and merino blend from Webs. So soft and fluffy, so heavenly to knit, so comforting to snuggle in. Yes, it is sheddy...my black slacks get a vague pale blue haze when I wear them and it at the same time. But I'll take a little shedding for such divine softness.<br />
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And I bought a new shawl pin that you see here with it.<br />
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This pin was actually meant to go on the red shawl you'll see further on.<br />
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I'm participating in Camp Loopy for the second year. Our first (of three) projects had to be a pattern by a designer from outside our country of residence. I chose Stripe Study, by<span style="font-size: small;"> Veera Välimäk, a Finnish designer. I love her patterns. This was supposed to be in two colors, but I threw in a stripe of yellow for interest. My dad helped me talk through where the odd color stripe should be placed, so...Thanks, Lolly!</span></div>
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For our second Camp Loopy project, we were to knit something in one of the colors from our country's flag (there's a lot of nationality stuff this year at camp because it's an Olympics year). I chose red and decided to make a Skein of Geese shawl. The picture above is at the end of the first skein of yarn. I ended up using 2 and a half skeins...about 1000 yards.<br />
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I love this shawl with a fierce love...It's wonderful to wrap up in.<br />
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And I just sent off a shawl to a Ravelry friend in Oklahoma. We both signed up for a shawl swap...she's crocheting me a shawl, I knit her one. I can't wait to see mine and I am hoping she will like hers. I'll post pictures later, after I'm sure she's gotten her package.<br />
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And finally...I've started my third and last Camp Loopy project. It's....a shawl. It had to use more than one color, to signify the unity of the nations coming together in sports. I was going to do a shawl called Light in Shadows, but the instructions just weren't making sense to me at all...so now it's just going to be a simple pink and dark brown striped shawl. Pictures to follow.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-55479597297673424842012-07-13T19:20:00.002-04:002012-07-13T19:20:55.132-04:00Well, Knock Me Down And Call Me Nancy!!I guess I can no longer say that I never win anything! A couple of months ago I entered a contest that Knitting Fever held where, if you wrote a blog post about Noro yarns, you had a chance to win the new Noro magazine. Well, I love Noro, so that was a labor of love. Noro has to be in my top 5...no, make that top 3 favorite yarn brands. Make that top 2. Noro and Madelinetosh...yum.<br />
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Anyway, I figured my chances of winning were pretty darn small so when I saw the new Noro magazine in Wegman's I went ahead and picked it up. Nice patterns in this magazine, by the way.<br />
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And then, a few weeks ago, I got an email from a nice lady at Knitting Fever asking for my address, because I had won! Well, my pleasure at winning was, I will admit, somewhat lessened by the fact that I already had the magazine, but still...I was happy and figured that perhaps I could give the magazine to someone.<br />
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Today I came home to find a box on my front porch from Knitting Fever...and it wasn't just the magazine!<br />
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Ten...count them, ten!!!...skeins of Silk Garden Lite. In an absolutely gorgeous colorway (2073). Time to start looking at patterns.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-89966783257444379532012-05-28T15:53:00.000-04:002012-05-28T15:53:42.520-04:00Meet My Sun, Ray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMQDw1bi1E-_9U-vlVTExWknQ-8qZLNXxuwDSbO64D7Viz7zpidmqZ6W-iZaB2HWGKpwFHLj7blvVXR76cOc6ADuPxBoJA88Ney-2mjHbuwfOX29Mx8C6xfQV4VKu_7YxVk5puwNGoMU/s1600/ray+foggy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMQDw1bi1E-_9U-vlVTExWknQ-8qZLNXxuwDSbO64D7Viz7zpidmqZ6W-iZaB2HWGKpwFHLj7blvVXR76cOc6ADuPxBoJA88Ney-2mjHbuwfOX29Mx8C6xfQV4VKu_7YxVk5puwNGoMU/s320/ray+foggy+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He's very cute, I think.<br />
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And no, it's not foggy here in Baltimore. In the short time it took me to go outside from the air conditioning to the heat and humidity here, and take a couple of pictures, my camera lens fogged all up. I'm hoping I haven't ruined my camera.<br />
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And here's a picture of my shawl so far...<br />
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<br />Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-28381113556450510612012-05-25T19:31:00.001-04:002012-05-25T19:31:18.186-04:00How Weathery Of MeMy current most active projects?<br />
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A sun and a rainbow. The sun needs four more rays, the rainbow needs to suck up the rest of the ball of yarn.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-85591073410927022182012-05-23T18:57:00.002-04:002012-05-24T18:52:27.770-04:00One Man's Meat...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spend time, now and again, wondering why it is that we like things. Usually I'm thinking about books, I'll admit. Why is one book by an author....China Mieville's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perdido-Street-Station-China-Mieville/dp/0345459407/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337812434&sr=1-1">Perdido Street Station</a>, for example....a book I just dive into and swim in and love and another, even by the same author....Mieville's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Random-House-Readers-Circle/dp/034549752X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337812464&sr=1-1">The City and The City</a>, for another example...one that I struggle with? Or, more broadly even...I love to read...always have...but you wouldn't catch me dead reading a romance novel. Why are those words on the page different than any others?<br />
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It's the same with yarn. Barring allergies, why does one person prefer wool and another only enjoy knitting in cotton? And why is there so much of a love-hate dichotomy over Noro? There must be a discussion a month on Ravelry about Noro..."Why doesn't everyone love Noro?" "How can anyone bear to knit in Noro?" "Noro....love the colors but the yarn is scratchy!" "I hate Noro!" "I love Noro!"<br />
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I come down firmly on the pro-Noro side of things. (In the interest of full disclosure, let me say that what prompted me to write this post is the chance of winning a copy of the new Noro magazine.)<br />
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I love Noro yarn. I mean, go <a href="http://knittingfever.com/blog/?p=1035">here</a> and scroll down. Look at those colors! Look at those gorgeous lilacs and purples and that delicate "Hello-I've-just-sprouted" spring green in the socks...the sunny yellows with the touch of peach in that bobbly pullover....the somehow serene-but-still-electric blues in the lacey cardigan. Just beautiful. Is the yarn scratchy? Well, the Kureyon isn't merino, perhaps, but it's perfectly wearable...and it's about the scratchiest of the lot. Is there vegetable matter? An occasional piece of hay or grass perhaps...easily removed. Are there knots? Perhaps I've been lucky, but I've found more knots in other brands of yarn.<br />
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And you know, it wouldn't matter...load it up with knots and grass. I'd still buy it and knit with it happily. <a href="http://www.noroyarns.com/v2/en/html/profile.html">Eisaku Noro</a> is a wizard with color...and color is something I love. For whatever reason, it pushes all the right neurons.<br />
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(Picture lifted from the Noro website...look at those hues!)<br />
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Having now spent some time reading through the Knitting Fever blog, I also have to link to <a href="http://knittingfever.com/blog/?p=1008">this post</a> of theirs. I love Mirasol yarns...and here's a great incentive to keep buying their yarns. What a wonderful story.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-27500298454247648082012-05-20T14:47:00.002-04:002012-05-20T18:52:53.293-04:00Three Days Gone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nice weekend, though it's almost over and that sucks. I took Friday off, mostly for a routine doctor's appointment but it was also sooooo nice not to be at work. I mean, I love Elizabeth but we've been working really hard and under a fair amount of pressure and it's been more tiring than I realized. After the doctor's, Mr. Pointy Sticks and I had lunch out (at Atwater's -- yum) and then spent some time and money at Barnes and Noble. I got both the new Garth Nix (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Confusion-Princes-Garth-Nix/dp/0060096942/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337537978&sr=1-1">A Confusion of Princes</a>, which I've read already and really liked) and China Mieville's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Railsea-China-Mieville/dp/0345524527/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337538031&sr=1-1">Railsea</a>, which I may start today.<br />
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On Saturday we went to Cromwell Bridge Park and went on a bird walk. We saw<br />
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<img alt="File:Baltimore Orioles and nest.jpg" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Baltimore_Orioles_and_nest.jpg/386px-Baltimore_Orioles_and_nest.jpg" width="257" /><br />
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Baltimore Orioles<br />
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<img alt="File:Orchard Oriole.jpg" height="300" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Orchard_Oriole.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Orchard Orioles<br />
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<img alt="File:IndigoBunting23.jpg" height="235" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/IndigoBunting23.jpg" width="250" /><br />
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Indigo Bunting<br />
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<img alt="File:Eastern Bluebird-27527-2.jpg" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Eastern_Bluebird-27527-2.jpg/600px-Eastern_Bluebird-27527-2.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Bluebird<br />
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<img alt="" height="80" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Tree_Swallow_Seneca_Falls_NY.jpg/120px-Tree_Swallow_Seneca_Falls_NY.jpg" width="120" /><br />
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Tree Swallows<br />
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<img alt="File:Blue Grosbeak by Dan Pancamo.jpg" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Blue_Grosbeak_by_Dan_Pancamo.jpg/450px-Blue_Grosbeak_by_Dan_Pancamo.jpg" width="300" /><br />
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Blue Grosbeaks (alas, only the brownish female, not this snappy blue male) and many others. I didn't get any good pictures, having only a weensy digital, so these images come from Wikimedia Commons. No copyright infringement here!<br />
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On the way home we stopped at <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/flavor-cupcakery-opens-cockeysville">Flavors</a> and got ourselves some cupcakes. Yum. Their Salted Caramel cupcakes are marvelous!<br />
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And even with the cupcakes, the weight loss continues. I'm down 18 pounds since February. Little pat on the back for me.<br />
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And I finished my Wingspan!<br />
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Here it is on the hood of the car...the colors look pretty true here. It's sort of disappointingly small. More like a neckerchief than a shawl. Someday perhaps I'll make a bigger one.<br />
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I'm going to wind my yarn one of these days for my first (of three) Camp Loopy project, which I can't start until next Sunday. In the meantime, I'm working on a Hitchhiker in Kauni Rainbow. I won't have it done by Sunday so it'll be a good waiting-to-start-Camp-Loopy's-project, in-between project.<br />
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<br />Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-49237699024613553762012-05-16T20:40:00.000-04:002012-05-16T20:40:19.616-04:00Wait? What Time Of The Year Is It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes! It's that time of the year...Camp Loopy begins in eleven days. And I'm ready!<br />
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I just got a nice package from Loopy Headquarters.<br />
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I'm going to be making the Stripe Study Shawl in cream, blue and (I think) a little touch of yellow as the thinnest stripes.<br />
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Oh and this? </div>
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I dunno...it must have just jumped into the box. </div>Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-40838099046917605112012-05-05T16:20:00.002-04:002012-08-04T13:52:38.237-04:00"It's The MOST WONderful TIME of the YEAR..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, it's Maryland Sheep and Wool Show weekend.<br />
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I wasn't going to buy a shirt this year because I didn't think I liked the design very much. But on this turquoise, with the blended green-to-blue ink...I thought it looked pretty good and I couldn't resist. (You will find that there was quite a bit I couldn't resist, alas.)</div>
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This was the traditional first stop...I always spend too much here. I was looking for three skeins of yarn for a Color Affection shawl...I walked away with five skeins. Ouch. But so pretty. Their pictures are coming along soon. </div>
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Mr. Pointy Sticks and I got there pretty early. In fact, I was shopping at Creatively Dyed when they announced over the PA that the show was open and we could all proceed to enter the fairgrounds in an orderly fashion. But here's the midway about 10:30 or 11:00. (I didn't have a watch.) The weather could have been worse (could have been better, too, I guess). It was warm in the sun (and in the crowded buildings) but cool enough in the shade. And there was a breeze. It was oppressively humid though. I don't do humidity well.<br />
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There was an amazing bead booth right across from Creatively Dyed. I wandered in and took a cursory look...and then started looking closer. There were some gorgeous beads...and yes, I succumbed here, too. Twice, in fact. Or three times, depending on whether you're talking number of visits (2) or number of beads purchased (3). <br />
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I loved these...but they didn't come home with me. I think the set was $80.<br />
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The little set with the green tag here glows in the dark! So cool.</div>
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So what came home with me? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSvhLM77Uzn68-HfI2mq2y8i_QvuqATHVGpxhyphenhyphenqVMTx8WZ1lfexor0s77fHAkW-SRNKqMZ0hixNYYumdbMiWmsrXf23696ZFc-tlNugVlqXGkjkOwjpqAFNGd8XaenAq-5Y9YnAZYWSU/s1600/sheepie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSvhLM77Uzn68-HfI2mq2y8i_QvuqATHVGpxhyphenhyphenqVMTx8WZ1lfexor0s77fHAkW-SRNKqMZ0hixNYYumdbMiWmsrXf23696ZFc-tlNugVlqXGkjkOwjpqAFNGd8XaenAq-5Y9YnAZYWSU/s320/sheepie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, it's another sheepie bank. Doesn't everyone need two?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some personal adornment. Those three big beads? They're the ones from the bead booth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That blue one? It (supposedly) glows in the dark!</td></tr>
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Oh, yarn? Did I get any yarn? I might have gotten a little.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe-W_3FNXoqak2APA05_Nxga_OU_uWklJmOnCazH9uMaBWXfKRBoE0dtMwuwqumzYoVyqNB36PjvjFtS3t9ZKnXzsT9vtxsB7kEv7adWtqJG6XNwz1nKOxR4tOQbO7uQ3SMZhyOvnYO4/s1600/socks+that+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe-W_3FNXoqak2APA05_Nxga_OU_uWklJmOnCazH9uMaBWXfKRBoE0dtMwuwqumzYoVyqNB36PjvjFtS3t9ZKnXzsT9vtxsB7kEv7adWtqJG6XNwz1nKOxR4tOQbO7uQ3SMZhyOvnYO4/s320/socks+that+rock.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fold was almost empty. How could I not buy some Socks that Rock? On Blueberry Hill on the left, and Flash Mobbin' on the right.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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From Creatively Dyed....I got these three skeins to make the Color Affection shawl.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YHINvZ_r6McS4hrsWE1Kno7UTy6x7ssLChVcZMdQ6wg4uWQSH7YzAOku42DZn9dLiOOxx6Y7VOW0UFtw7_Hv2ztSO31KA372Un-yWb3YOa_zX6XrWsmeaYp0q4QbltKw-aijTRIjAKE/s1600/color+affection+shawl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YHINvZ_r6McS4hrsWE1Kno7UTy6x7ssLChVcZMdQ6wg4uWQSH7YzAOku42DZn9dLiOOxx6Y7VOW0UFtw7_Hv2ztSO31KA372Un-yWb3YOa_zX6XrWsmeaYp0q4QbltKw-aijTRIjAKE/s320/color+affection+shawl.jpg" width="206" /> </a></div>
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And this one just because I fell in love with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYjBTaFl5NLWxEpZVpOva1-LgoYDiYZYT43wDaXRRpR4HjuOUFhDR4s4YbTClJHbBSZBEzuDuuXMGMAanDzm3HsgySjn4NZZV7ws62VkmfPMhaxA7i5xdnvuY1LST7ksgIJR9PA9SaU/s1600/creatively+dyed+don.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYjBTaFl5NLWxEpZVpOva1-LgoYDiYZYT43wDaXRRpR4HjuOUFhDR4s4YbTClJHbBSZBEzuDuuXMGMAanDzm3HsgySjn4NZZV7ws62VkmfPMhaxA7i5xdnvuY1LST7ksgIJR9PA9SaU/s320/creatively+dyed+don.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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And this one because it was called Rachel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg473rQcPo5Srgtc-7prbZDYUElk1-Dz5VLjeL9-oxYDYKXcA7yjlXwLeK8lw9-_z1iGih8V8YFB2Khha4B0dn4dFIGWQIxdq9uuVtgIRjstTk721P2IquJ0wJJMkW_OLGeIX5nDwBwjWg/s1600/creatively+dyed+rachel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg473rQcPo5Srgtc-7prbZDYUElk1-Dz5VLjeL9-oxYDYKXcA7yjlXwLeK8lw9-_z1iGih8V8YFB2Khha4B0dn4dFIGWQIxdq9uuVtgIRjstTk721P2IquJ0wJJMkW_OLGeIX5nDwBwjWg/s320/creatively+dyed+rachel.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>
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I mean, how could I resist? It only comes once a year!!Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-35803339140718696962012-04-29T14:22:00.001-04:002012-04-29T17:32:53.863-04:00Look Who's Back...I couldn't resist posting this. This is Elefante, a Susan B. Anderson design. Knit for the new daughter of a co-worker. I'm not super happy with the finishing, but even with my inexpert sewing skills...pretty darn cute. The ears, kindly crocheted by Tatiana at my LYS, seem somewhat precarious. But I hope this will (eventually) give the baby joy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLg5DDpFpDRGBbGuEq47aahOpCRykQoj857Ky56fUS-JFpeXLQh4AYi2VR95GzICHkBLRyoE2Aq9dLHqoSurvJSbdFyxguECRcy3c0nrvpIohYMak3PRzJHNGM7yO5j_5hY1Kt28H59M/s1600/nell+and+the+big+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLg5DDpFpDRGBbGuEq47aahOpCRykQoj857Ky56fUS-JFpeXLQh4AYi2VR95GzICHkBLRyoE2Aq9dLHqoSurvJSbdFyxguECRcy3c0nrvpIohYMak3PRzJHNGM7yO5j_5hY1Kt28H59M/s320/nell+and+the+big+world.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
To go with Little Nell, I chose some outfits at Target...<br />
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Do we detect a theme?<br />
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<br />Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-59025300446932352912012-03-19T08:55:00.001-04:002012-03-19T08:57:01.621-04:00I keep trying to think of a reason to keep posting here....and I can't.<br /><br />I'm knitting. I'm reading. Life goes on. I'll keep posting my exercise and perhaps someday I'll do something interesting enough to post about.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-69105088210315854542012-01-24T21:05:00.002-05:002012-01-24T21:17:52.539-05:00A Prezzie!!?? For Me!!??I haven't had anyone knit something for me since I was...oh, about thirteen! But today...I got a knit present! My good friend Elizabeth knit a cowl, just for me. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWoboKHYqktIpkEB30ni2uFksM4ZOnmgtePpgmHfQ7WSIjHEaHau-T9tLyCOimWRFT0pPBJDX01Ie0xHoinvqbHrbTSPfnteqHa_P34mkG6XWSTZLrl1UQ-zSxCjfvNfGfNpZiEV_Sc0/s1600/colorful+cowl+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWoboKHYqktIpkEB30ni2uFksM4ZOnmgtePpgmHfQ7WSIjHEaHau-T9tLyCOimWRFT0pPBJDX01Ie0xHoinvqbHrbTSPfnteqHa_P34mkG6XWSTZLrl1UQ-zSxCjfvNfGfNpZiEV_Sc0/s320/colorful+cowl+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701386823521003602" border="0" /></a>I tried to take some pictures of myself...not an easy trick, especially when you don't like having pictures taken of yourself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu0a1CG_NIspsuPD-nw1VKskWJL8J9BoGxyN9p4cgH3U1qSGhl3Vy6_EgHpXsFJnq73j5kYBn-1W17fH5ouOiETSjElxiMKUsPVH1kEm7H2XESE3iIJmTz_VX5tsUZ7gYgxhnHP4YTn0/s1600/colorful+cowl+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu0a1CG_NIspsuPD-nw1VKskWJL8J9BoGxyN9p4cgH3U1qSGhl3Vy6_EgHpXsFJnq73j5kYBn-1W17fH5ouOiETSjElxiMKUsPVH1kEm7H2XESE3iIJmTz_VX5tsUZ7gYgxhnHP4YTn0/s320/colorful+cowl+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701386824644600706" border="0" /></a>I thought this one above wasn't too bad...and don't cowls hide double chins nicely! But I couldn't figure out why I didn't look like myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWd1R955BbcDbMS7R69y2TOAm3V9s5i94jFPVvus8GHUBKhnUVNrI2NYhmS9T11vcAAkmVKFnv281OX3FC-Qokb0SalA23CruJrl6HDH857GZLlH-7kSSuuXKIUuLrgq71ZlD88dmRu0/s1600/colorful+cowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWd1R955BbcDbMS7R69y2TOAm3V9s5i94jFPVvus8GHUBKhnUVNrI2NYhmS9T11vcAAkmVKFnv281OX3FC-Qokb0SalA23CruJrl6HDH857GZLlH-7kSSuuXKIUuLrgq71ZlD88dmRu0/s320/colorful+cowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701386817659985154" border="0" /></a><br />Oh yeah...it's the eyeglasses.<br /><br />Thank you, Elizabeth. I feel as though I'm wearing a tropical sunset around my neck.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-23189452634592733082012-01-23T12:34:00.003-05:002012-01-23T14:05:09.638-05:00A week or so ago on Book Balloon we were joking around about writing prompts, and someone came up with "Justin Bieber, Mitt Romney and a chicken walk into a bar...." My response to that was "This is going to be a long evening," said the chicken, "I need to get fried."<br /><br />More joking went on, with PCashwell saying that the form of the product hadn't been specified. Whereupon TPC said "A sestina!" Well, for some reason I couldn't get the idea of a sestina out of my mind - though I did manage to mis-remember it as a chicken, Romney and Gingrich. But here, for your amusement...<br /><br /><strong>A Sestina</strong><br /><br />I was tending my bar, counting my money<br />When in walked a chicken, Newt, and Romney.<br />“Here’s a joke,” I thought, as I wiped the bar.<br />“What can I get you?” I asked of the three.<br />“Give me a whiskey,” the hen said as she sat.<br />"This’ll be a long evening, I need to get fried.”<br /><br />My breakfast that morning, eggs scrambled not fried,<br />Began to heave as Mitt spoke of his money<br />The chicken and Newt, well they just sat<br />Not saying anything that might stifle Romney<br />I wished there was a response from one of the three,<br />Because Mitt’s chatter about cash didn’t fit in this bar.<br /><br />Why, the usual customer in my middle-class bar<br />Is happy to be able to afford nice eggs, fried.<br />But most of them only have two, not three,<br />Because of cholesterol, yes, but also money<br />A concern I think that never bothered Mitt Romney<br />And still, chatting of cash, there the three sat.<br /><br />The chicken rustled a bit on the stool where she sat<br />And looking around said, “This is a nice little bar.”<br />“How much does it profit you?” asked Mr. Romney.<br />(He’d had a few whiskies but wasn’t yet fried.)<br />“Why,” he said, “I bet it earns a little money!<br />Say, two hundred thousand bucks or maybe even three!!”<br /><br />Newt put down his glass and looked around at us three<br />Romney, the chicken, and I, where I sat<br />“You can’t buy happiness, not with all your money.<br />You need to take a good wife to the matrimonial bar!”<br />The chicken, she cackled,” You really are fried!”<br />“You’ve tried that three times.” muttered Romney.<br /><br />“How happy are you, Newt?” asked Mr. Romney,<br />Trotting around with wife number Three?”<br />Newt looked glumly away, the chicken looked fried.<br />But Romney rushed out of the bar while they sat<br />“Left my dog on the roof,” he said coming back to the bar<br />“He doesn’t look happy, but I’ll give him some money.”<br /><br />The chicken was fried and so was Mitt Romney.<br />I tallied my money and gave their tabs to the three.<br />After they left I just sat, in the quiet of my bar.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-91397232256764060442012-01-16T14:39:00.006-05:002012-01-16T15:24:38.954-05:00Christmas Wrap (Up)I was going to write something all clever and funny about Christmas but if I wait until that percolates, it's likely to be Easter before anything gets written. Seems that the more writing I do at work, the less I feel like writing when I get home in the evening. And lately, with a hearing coming up, work is busy.<br /><br />But Christmas...it was lovely. Mr. Pointy Sticks took a number of pictures as we were celebrating (in a quiet way) at my dad's. I'd post one or two except that somehow we all end up looking as though we've escaped from the Home for the Feeble and Homely...I swear, a dopier looking group of people you could not hope to find.<br /><br />But presents...they stand still and look presentable. So herewith, my favorite presents of the season.<br /><br />My brother's sweetie gave me this adorable spoon rest...well, I suppose you could also use it as a candy dish or coaster...but I am enjoying having it close by as I cook.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGk9LY6OICRD0jznY3szoezS_hw3NLylhZO8B1qHTQxkZzdzoGWsRkGD6JUZLozjjlp9mf7lP8lOlzapSpw_bS2VRJYCgQ_eq99FpT7ZRs0H6aNUKA24AyASLj23tJr_pzMbJPO1XuT4/s1600/spoon+rest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGk9LY6OICRD0jznY3szoezS_hw3NLylhZO8B1qHTQxkZzdzoGWsRkGD6JUZLozjjlp9mf7lP8lOlzapSpw_bS2VRJYCgQ_eq99FpT7ZRs0H6aNUKA24AyASLj23tJr_pzMbJPO1XuT4/s320/spoon+rest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698321281752979106" border="0" /></a><br />What a perfectly snooty cat.<br /><br />And my daughter gave me this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK3XzCp5DDsTPIj6ro8Ixk3J6Ty8U5JhbFHmIgqhRSqbtI2kf1CYpBK2fc2YAzvQ0VtgTSkMJqnktQCmb4b9XoRs6YTkQ_Bk2lYOU8JOJ6y0vDmu7jIjLBzZ5qXVjjUjrZOJ1T-z_OT0/s1600/pogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK3XzCp5DDsTPIj6ro8Ixk3J6Ty8U5JhbFHmIgqhRSqbtI2kf1CYpBK2fc2YAzvQ0VtgTSkMJqnktQCmb4b9XoRs6YTkQ_Bk2lYOU8JOJ6y0vDmu7jIjLBzZ5qXVjjUjrZOJ1T-z_OT0/s320/pogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698321285913208226" border="0" /></a><br />We've all been waiting years for this to come out. In fact, years ago my brother ordered me a copy. But then he heard that Rachel had gotten this for me so he decided to give the copy that would have been mine to Rachel. He said he was feeling a little bad about giving it up but it all worked out because Rachel also gave a copy to him! It was the Year of the Pogo! I'm having great fun reading it.<br /><br />But the best present? Probably the best present I've ever gotten? Mr. Pointy Sticks gave me this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pq8uCHjNSrKVtd4gAWHy6tJmwPnM8DjEzXf7hJwZ4encG3PKzcddrQbfkce4XaaU1cJCj6Z49wojna5hET7MQsfZg7-2CtaOGTezZRkVbfhYA6JARL7C4oAwyRc6TQUj6IIYa1v7Av0/s1600/nook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pq8uCHjNSrKVtd4gAWHy6tJmwPnM8DjEzXf7hJwZ4encG3PKzcddrQbfkce4XaaU1cJCj6Z49wojna5hET7MQsfZg7-2CtaOGTezZRkVbfhYA6JARL7C4oAwyRc6TQUj6IIYa1v7Av0/s320/nook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698322516623452146" border="0" /></a>The Nook Tablet! I love this thing! I never thought I would be an e-book sort of person. But I kept looking at it when we went into Barnes and Noble and every time I played with it I liked it a little more. And then, on Christmas morning, there it was! Eeeek! And having had it now for almost a month, I can say I am a convert. I've read a couple of books on it...it's fast, light, responsive. And I love the apps...the games, Pandora. I am thinking of trying out Netflix.<br /><br />Here's it is in its little jacket.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik_GSiDDms6wQnax4PvXKizCQ00sXJxWq10E2XH93NZRExFsE00vUAedBkAiXqhlkm-TiTQ3x1n61wKjWdBpzPTxA5VMr4d1S9AgX0EJ76kH2NZJ6et4lyx-npxVeYJlC0hViEiilS8M/s1600/nook+cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik_GSiDDms6wQnax4PvXKizCQ00sXJxWq10E2XH93NZRExFsE00vUAedBkAiXqhlkm-TiTQ3x1n61wKjWdBpzPTxA5VMr4d1S9AgX0EJ76kH2NZJ6et4lyx-npxVeYJlC0hViEiilS8M/s320/nook+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698322512213850626" border="0" /></a>And the last wonderful present? Mr. Pointy Sticks also gave me a gift certificate to The Black Sheep.<br /><br />And this past Saturday I went up there. I spent the afternoon and I also spent the gift certificate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHTvyKZBX-NhbBHCDCmiDjb1a8-6sh6x7ctcJWkZ0Tfr44UHrMelXexOvRffqgEs8U8VlTcwxM15zLlU8rZQZxS1EzxcNGq_UPcvuxRnlxavB8EmofDmOT0CewHR_o_OiHyLhwDcGS1E/s1600/black+sheep+booty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHTvyKZBX-NhbBHCDCmiDjb1a8-6sh6x7ctcJWkZ0Tfr44UHrMelXexOvRffqgEs8U8VlTcwxM15zLlU8rZQZxS1EzxcNGq_UPcvuxRnlxavB8EmofDmOT0CewHR_o_OiHyLhwDcGS1E/s320/black+sheep+booty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698326149273733970" border="0" /></a>And I had fun doing both.<br /><br />Look at these colors!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN5w5I5qiGBnLaw8QwCLsLoxlW6KN2zHJzLj69f2cmGFOjJ1iU5IlEe6_plwoANu7PdawCaTBO0I-lnp_rpicLL0ARWY3k5ZQ700q26LtfjRJdQoFFJZbgedcXwzLsTGbI4c-l5N79LI/s1600/colors+too.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN5w5I5qiGBnLaw8QwCLsLoxlW6KN2zHJzLj69f2cmGFOjJ1iU5IlEe6_plwoANu7PdawCaTBO0I-lnp_rpicLL0ARWY3k5ZQ700q26LtfjRJdQoFFJZbgedcXwzLsTGbI4c-l5N79LI/s320/colors+too.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698326158302529938" border="0" /></a>I have plans for all of these. I sat at The Black Sheep and looked at patterns on Ravelry (on my Nook because they have wi-fi!) and figured out what I wanted to make. The Noro will be a couple of pairs of mitts. The two Jawolls will be shawlettes. At least, that's the plan at the moment.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-37766750386867694392012-01-06T12:44:00.003-05:002012-01-07T21:45:23.761-05:00Random Thorts<div>So, I woke up Thursday night (well, Friday morning, actually) and couldn’t really get back to sleep (I think some dozing occurred on and off) what with the hot flashes and the Duncan-wanting-attention and the mouth-like-the-Gobi-Desert (thank you, sinuses, for making me a mouth-breather). So I was thinking about this and that, the way one does, and began thinking about the things I like/do now that I’ve enjoyed/done pretty much all my life. And as it stands now, think I will probably continue to enjoy/do right up until the end.<br /><br />Number 1 on the list would have to be enjoying that tart, artificial, orange taste that one finds in baby aspirin. I’ve always loved that flavor. When I was little, my brother and I had to take these daily vitamins…they were liquid and came in little brown glass bottle with glass eyedroppers. And every day we had to have an eye-dropper full. I loved those things! (In fact, typing this up and thinking about them is making my salivary glands go into overdrive.) I used to sneak extra dropperfuls whenever I could. My mom knew that I was sneaking extra because she would buy a bottle for me and a bottle for my brother (who I think hated them but will undoubtedly remember their name) and my bottle would empty out in half the time it took his to empty. I also used to sneak baby aspirin, something my mother didn’t know and which rather horrified her when I told her (when I was in my 30’s). I was very careful, though. I knew aspirin was dangerous so I only ever stole the number of tablets that the label assured me was safe. I remember staring at the label and wishing I were old enough to take 4 tablets instead of just 2. I am thrilled now to take my daily baby aspirin!<br /><br />Number 2? Like my father, I’ve always loved having my hair messed with. Some gentle hair-combing and I am in heaven. When I was little, my Dad would come home from work and sit down with the paper or a book (I remember this most clearly in the second house I lived in) and I would climb up behind him and sit on the back of the sofa with my legs over his shoulders and I would play with his hair. Now, we’re talking a professional 40-ish year old man in the very early ‘60’s. His hair was probably half an inch long. But I would comb it and brush it (I used to love putting his hair brush (which I loved because it was clear, see-through plastic), bristles down, on the top of his head, twirling it and pulling it straight up…I called it making birds’ nests) and no doubt chatter his ears off. I always looked forward to having my own “beauty parlor” sessions when I had a kid. Alas, Rachel had no interest in playing any such games. Guess she didn’t inherit the “please fool with my hair” gene.<br /><br />For Number 3…for as long as I can remember I’ve used an alphabet game to put myself to sleep at night (yes, I tried it last night…no, it doesn’t always work). I go through the alphabet as follows:</div><br /><div>A, my name is Annabelle (or Amelia or Avery or whatever name pops into my mind)<br />My husband’s name is Adam<br />We live in Annapolis<br />And we sell antiques.<br /><br />B, my name is Bethany<br />My husband’s name is Bert<br />We live in Baltimore<br />And we sell books.<br /><br />And so on, until:<br /><br />Z, my name is Zelda<br />My husband’s name is Zeus<br />We live in Zanesville<br />And we sell zebras.<br /><br />If it’s an exceptionally tough night (like Thursday night), it’ll go like this:</div><br /><div>A, my name is Amber<br />My husband’s name is Alexis<br />We live in Anaheim<br />My favorite food is avocado<br />My favorite color is amethyst<br />My favorite animal is an anaconda<br />My favorite flower is the anemone<br />And we sell ammonia!<br /><br />I’ve had a couple of nervous habits (biting my nails and twiddling my hair) probably since I’ve had teeth and hair. I can’t say I enjoy them, but I bet I’ll still be twiddling what remains of my hair when I’m drooling in a nursing home. <br /><br />And I twiddle my feet. When I'm not feeling well, I'll lie down on my side and rub my feet, round and round, against each other. It's soothing. Mr. Pointy Sticks knows that when I'm doing that, I'm really not feeling well.<br /><br />There's probably more...but I think it's time for bed.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-58886189793230444102011-12-10T15:22:00.005-05:002011-12-24T12:53:18.221-05:00Excuse The BlurIt was sort of cold outside. But I did want to get pictures of the latest Webs purchases, for all you yarn oglers out there. Herewith:<br /><br />I was having so much fun knitting hats for Andrew that I thought Rachel needed one, too. So I bought these two Malabrigos.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli8Uxl0N69JRfKBgM6tduqNxQCdT3-6E7LpINebev-VVaeFWAWg3Yl_5sQ2UXhDg6gfhTlUhsGlSrJ2FdyEq96edn0sQRO7x4dEpED8OikWSQcCvfRojOFDgloCFmcPctsCZ-ecJPoh8/s1600/malabrigo+for+rr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli8Uxl0N69JRfKBgM6tduqNxQCdT3-6E7LpINebev-VVaeFWAWg3Yl_5sQ2UXhDg6gfhTlUhsGlSrJ2FdyEq96edn0sQRO7x4dEpED8OikWSQcCvfRojOFDgloCFmcPctsCZ-ecJPoh8/s320/malabrigo+for+rr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684598800469792850" border="0" /></a>She liked the darker one (I think it's called Purple Mystery), so that's the one that's all wound up and ready to go. The other one? I'll probably make another hat with it at some point.<br /><br />Speaking of hats, though, I am somewhat fired up to make Stephen West's Bandwidth hat. And Webs had special short skeins of the Madelinetosh the pattern calls for. So I picked up two color combinations.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt6wO-_UEL8UoeizI_uauW1H8JrKHBDLP9DmIIWT3OZBpE-XMmoNx_cFtInLEw4iyjRJ4veKul-xIlLGhEpJOIgT5J4Pc2PMrnr_nA23XN6C-1V3vee_vas8NBl2tyeQG2gzazXdroWc/s1600/bandwidth+possibilities.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt6wO-_UEL8UoeizI_uauW1H8JrKHBDLP9DmIIWT3OZBpE-XMmoNx_cFtInLEw4iyjRJ4veKul-xIlLGhEpJOIgT5J4Pc2PMrnr_nA23XN6C-1V3vee_vas8NBl2tyeQG2gzazXdroWc/s320/bandwidth+possibilities.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684598794576859474" border="0" /></a>I think the William Morris (dark brown with some turquoise in it) and the Manor (the turquoise and grey) might go together well. And the gorgeous Tart and Charcoal might make a good match, too.<br /><br />Then, just for fun (and probably for a little shawl rather than socks), I got some Taiyo sock yarn.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfonJsf6yNew1u6Kk67gKwaGsxURHnG6WU_7ie_Ykm-9bEJlWlvfyK87wg0tezIk4x2V_HzqxroP89uI7YD71BFk58XUIVuyo5n3sbo5pmnrVn8DLUR_sznF_p8yzty_Z2D7YPBLldxnA/s1600/taiyo+sock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfonJsf6yNew1u6Kk67gKwaGsxURHnG6WU_7ie_Ykm-9bEJlWlvfyK87wg0tezIk4x2V_HzqxroP89uI7YD71BFk58XUIVuyo5n3sbo5pmnrVn8DLUR_sznF_p8yzty_Z2D7YPBLldxnA/s320/taiyo+sock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684598812144685810" border="0" /></a>Duncan likes it when I go out on the Front Porch of Photography, because he gets a little outside time. Short time today, because while he has a warm fur coat, I do not. Brrr...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwebWdlz9vAVnTdWmuFhbjYsr5gcEdHmL8PEeXgkOIy6wFe06tzcVX38pYuHuih35ZIzhJ8z-1TOPAA66a41ZSwre0ouOid5XHehrD_BtDoKuU0yQQBz4PLVOyUlsM-8kn_UAqkl8W8I/s1600/duncan+eats+grass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwebWdlz9vAVnTdWmuFhbjYsr5gcEdHmL8PEeXgkOIy6wFe06tzcVX38pYuHuih35ZIzhJ8z-1TOPAA66a41ZSwre0ouOid5XHehrD_BtDoKuU0yQQBz4PLVOyUlsM-8kn_UAqkl8W8I/s320/duncan+eats+grass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684598792251699202" border="0" /></a>Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-30822135895904090362011-12-06T21:31:00.014-05:002011-12-08T21:51:44.389-05:00Is This What A Let Down Feels Like?Well, let's see if I can get a start on this post...<br /><div><br />We went up to Massachusetts this past weekend. Rachel was having her senior show and we wanted to be there...both to participate and to help her pay for it and set it up. ("Senior show" isn't really the correct term, but it's probably the most understandable for the readers. I mean, she was going to Hampshire College...they don't really have freshmen, sophomores, and so forth. They have Div I, Div II and Div III's. But anyway...)<br /><br />We drove up Thursday...the trip took about the usual amount of time but somehow seemed longer and more tedious. I did get some knitting done...a second hat for Andrew in Malabrigo Superwash in the Playa colorway. This and the brown hat I made last week were Christmas presents for Andrew, but he decided that Christmas was when we gave it to him, so he's gotten the hats...and worn them! It's sort of weird how grey and gold this hat looks in the photo. In some lights it looks very much bluer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BRdnC5GZ1ILpLH54LStPyDn4xkXFe-59_ypzYnnBr4ZwfbW3Xy58TnR2gIDAOmZ4UkaIZLn2kBCIADZ6FGcV7n3sBiNZO2qJTAgwh7VjCYeNLUNUbO1Bqn3EgZS2VOBFcNoRLJ-L2kk/s1600/andrew%2527s+second+hat+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683212568975227282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BRdnC5GZ1ILpLH54LStPyDn4xkXFe-59_ypzYnnBr4ZwfbW3Xy58TnR2gIDAOmZ4UkaIZLn2kBCIADZ6FGcV7n3sBiNZO2qJTAgwh7VjCYeNLUNUbO1Bqn3EgZS2VOBFcNoRLJ-L2kk/s320/andrew%2527s+second+hat+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But it ended in a pre-hotel-check-in visit to Webs...that's always nice. I got a few Limited Edition Short Skeins of Madelinetosh Vintage and some Malabrigo...all for hats of various sorts. </div><br />Then off to see Rachel and Andrew. We visited for a while and snoogled all the cats (it's so nice to see Miss Sophie back where she belongs!) and then went out to dinner at Amherst Chinese. Yum.<br /><br /><div></div>Friday morning we got up and had breakfast at the Lone Wolf (Andrew's treat!) which was tasty (waffles!) and very filling. Which was good as I had nothing else to eat until the reception. Here are the kids, dutifully posing for the Obtrusive Mother.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683222428436925346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrha52loOv-SmfGkHO5FZQxWtBsJR1GWu36HsMncE0J1uYr3wgC6Jt0lgJnjo4HsgaX65XiTcJQhOqeRG-7ee9cKoDc3dKnDDSl1nsO11EsemiLLBP462BUmoAnycG6jK9dx4LsRZbSzk/s320/rachel+and+andrew+backlit+3.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div></div>We went our separate ways...Rachel and Andrew to get haircuts and, for Rachel, other primping. Arthur and I trundled around and then, at the appropriate time went to Atkins to pick up the assorted foodstuffs we ordered.<br /><br /><div></div>About 3 p.m. we met up at the school and started setting up. I have to say, I was somewhat disappointed at the lack of assistance that the school provided. I mean, when we got to the gallery, there were no tables in sight. Rachel had to run around the building and we had to wrestle the tables down the stairs and into the room. Once there, we got them set up.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683222942546765810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIBolHBp2NihqPo_XydDeDWrl-AywZwz81yf4_1WwMJpOU_ASK4yVj6mgs8CkZNTUeI0w6X8wmTE9XuYZuqZjtF4-_yrt2-QZCNIPHzFkEkO8y4HNqcRgKCkjSkpKvtii0vYhbf9hyb8/s320/reception+food.jpg" border="0" /><br />Pastries! Fruit! Cheese and crackers! Veggies and dip! Cupcakes! Beer and water and juice and pretty much undrinkable wine! What a spread.</div><br />I didn't take many pictures because I'm just that stupid. I started to take some pictures of Rachel's work but she came up to me and told me it was wasting my time as the pictures had all been scanned. Which is all very well, except that I have nothing to put up here except one picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijl5UnUBdnuUPTwPy1CVyDs-27NhyphenhyphennSC2xyAY-TdEU4whnp4bCbjujCkPHmaEqDAm25O-MzMfMmPfPcX5Hu_VxZ4wBhi8pb8OUHFghLs4J_SNUYx_HhCUvlFchuiRj5JFqIlRy_eBMtk/s1600/flora+and+fauna.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijl5UnUBdnuUPTwPy1CVyDs-27NhyphenhyphennSC2xyAY-TdEU4whnp4bCbjujCkPHmaEqDAm25O-MzMfMmPfPcX5Hu_VxZ4wBhi8pb8OUHFghLs4J_SNUYx_HhCUvlFchuiRj5JFqIlRy_eBMtk/s320/flora+and+fauna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683952199171016146" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I had taken a picture of the drawing Rachel did of Cooper curled up asleep. I love that one. <br /><br />Here's a shot, early on in the event, of Rachel and some friends and professor. It was nice to meet these professors that Rachel had been telling us about and they were very complimentary of Rachel and her work.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683222947770652786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LijEaiZtscmErmRojo1wi37V9Xoa9X5O-IOrcxMv_dIiZWNA3zDe7yptEVSGIy1uGpbUkwqp_en3LPC_i94IJDFytINmoiQopBYyPRtph6hcw1VxuRRCCW1ePvqbeszaAAkiA0v8UAc/s320/reception+group.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />After dinner we gathered up friends (my friend Andy and her family -- Georgeanne and Annie -- came with us, as well as friends of Rachel's -- Andrew, of course, and Morgan and Patrick and Kathleen and Natasha) and all went to dinner at another Chinese restaurant...one with a large round table and a huge lazy susan in the middle of the table. It was so much fun. I like Rachel's friends a lot and it was so good to see Andy again. We've missed getting together the last several visits for various reasons. But did I take pictures???? Noooo.<br /><br />Saturday morning Arthur and I got up and headed toward Mt. Holyoke, in an attempt to see the view from the top on a day that was not solid fog. Unfortunately, when we got there we discovered that the road was closed to the season. I guess I understand why. It is not a road on which one would want to hit a patch of ice!<br /><br />So we headed off to Brookfield and found the Book Bear, a used bookstore my brother had told us about. I got a couple knitting books. On the way back from there we saw a different entrance into the Quabbin Reservoir Park and decided to explore. We found the Tower Hill (not a great feat of navigation...the road led straight to it. We parked and climbed the hill to the tower.<br /><br />Here's a tree we passed on the walk up.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4MY30czTT5Os_UU0gWsWTdRPK0yEhz-q3Eg43mC9NHnW5Y7J2Y_sMmib-5aUNUYU3qHJTn-x6EsjlXCWRsZe1q6gg-SYHPXp1tN-jhKjnSaYh1U4HoDNlol86BU3spbAzjFf_6lCh9g/s1600/birch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4MY30czTT5Os_UU0gWsWTdRPK0yEhz-q3Eg43mC9NHnW5Y7J2Y_sMmib-5aUNUYU3qHJTn-x6EsjlXCWRsZe1q6gg-SYHPXp1tN-jhKjnSaYh1U4HoDNlol86BU3spbAzjFf_6lCh9g/s320/birch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683951861538534690" border="0" /></a>And here's the view from the top of the hill...the tower was closed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS07RiTwwm-w7H154L6RPxpLwi_1LtwIOe_bjtN-3dc6enA1L0zevwOx-ixgMmsB6XJqn2PPF2P8dvYvcGYF5f0fEzsEzJgGI292QI7_zy4puu0CXITXLcK6HD2fLZNPx4bU7xG45HGY/s1600/quabbin+from+the+tower1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS07RiTwwm-w7H154L6RPxpLwi_1LtwIOe_bjtN-3dc6enA1L0zevwOx-ixgMmsB6XJqn2PPF2P8dvYvcGYF5f0fEzsEzJgGI292QI7_zy4puu0CXITXLcK6HD2fLZNPx4bU7xG45HGY/s320/quabbin+from+the+tower1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683952392903559986" border="0" /></a>You cannot imagine how quiet it is in the park. Just wonderful. All you hear is the wind blow. You can see it was a beautiful day.<br /><br />Dinner with Rachel at Paul and Elizabeth's in Northampton and then home early on Sunday. The trip home went very quickly. And I didn't even nap!<br /><br />So Rachel is a college graduate (well, officially in a couple of weeks but for all intents and purposes, she's done). It's a whole new stage for her and somehow it feels like a new stage for us, too. One that may require some adjustment on my part...<br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-84043814187721085372011-11-20T14:44:00.003-05:002011-11-21T10:54:07.645-05:00Super Sunny SaturdayToday it's warm (for November) but very grey. Yesterday may not have been quite as warm but it was a beautiful clear, bright day and, fortunately, that was the day we chose to go to the Alpaca Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds. It's only the second year for the festival...to say it wasn't crowded was an understatement. As a comparison: At the Sheep and Wool show you can stand (being gently buffeted by the crowds) in the Fairway and look out over a seething mass of humanity. At the Alpaca Festival, you can stand in the middle of the Fairway and look out over...two or three people. Only three of the barns had exhibits...but what nice exhibits they were!<br /><br />I happen to think that alpacas are adorable.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyTg8DzMvfcF2CAm5EZDoJV1LiQltWmeUigMXBmh0r0Evq-rIlndsQTI-XdmSC4J2KiQyO2xpQHshV4aBrV3OFnMf72KPcuutXh3TdV1TNPcKWU48lcALUFLA1Ltw6eC9cwBxMNRv98A/s1600/alpaca+festival+2011+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677168751172432370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyTg8DzMvfcF2CAm5EZDoJV1LiQltWmeUigMXBmh0r0Evq-rIlndsQTI-XdmSC4J2KiQyO2xpQHshV4aBrV3OFnMf72KPcuutXh3TdV1TNPcKWU48lcALUFLA1Ltw6eC9cwBxMNRv98A/s320/alpaca+festival+2011+5.jpg" border="0" /></a>This white one was very, very white...I'm sure she makes lovely yarn.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGH6n4vnX4FnMhRrWETi3ULGq2PvE8L_g3mfovmtzw8nwswBzJ9MKhfme5yu06dAT45N1NxjSEx3KvdQIi_5_Dg2AjD-wnv979v2L_ZirHx9NX5RAsm8RUpbVfnvg4M3XUlGzPQwlW9g/s1600/alpaca+festival+2011+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677168725730372626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGH6n4vnX4FnMhRrWETi3ULGq2PvE8L_g3mfovmtzw8nwswBzJ9MKhfme5yu06dAT45N1NxjSEx3KvdQIi_5_Dg2AjD-wnv979v2L_ZirHx9NX5RAsm8RUpbVfnvg4M3XUlGzPQwlW9g/s320/alpaca+festival+2011+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There were a number of babies. The cutest one was sort of a creamy color and looked as though he had been manufactured by <a href="http://www.gund.com/">Gund</a>. Sparkly clean and fluffy and huggable and six weeks old. You just wanted to bring him home to keep on your bed and squeeze. Unfortunately, I was so busy ooohing and awwwwing over him and giving his mom under-the-chin skritches that I didn't get a good picture of him. The only one I got was blurry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceYI4Iv2h8uIw1kQMa_ZLkwEuzZP79maKlF7LJoPvx6SavdQJYsJw1C29ud-TY-ZtDu-MT_ttBscn6D-BwHG8-fYNt-pYkmHRZQzD2WbiiAEM7-lWc2yCRSMq4QUsqeljyd2LWMlP09w/s1600/alpaca+festival+2011+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677168733344183826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceYI4Iv2h8uIw1kQMa_ZLkwEuzZP79maKlF7LJoPvx6SavdQJYsJw1C29ud-TY-ZtDu-MT_ttBscn6D-BwHG8-fYNt-pYkmHRZQzD2WbiiAEM7-lWc2yCRSMq4QUsqeljyd2LWMlP09w/s320/alpaca+festival+2011+3.jpg" border="0" /></a>This little baby was nestled down beside her mom and was a gorgeous grey and white.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuYeLTN8xKAabKlYk1c8K-dSDedtezSUj5zI09mAf5ie1mNOr-YhN0crbHGKkCPkT_ER10c_zCu-UL8wJhqWpBR7p4ayZqFxeHerDSs161BbvZqyaVizd9e4_hhHyKTJD2fqz3Q5HloA/s1600/alpaca+festival+2011+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677168744206187458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuYeLTN8xKAabKlYk1c8K-dSDedtezSUj5zI09mAf5ie1mNOr-YhN0crbHGKkCPkT_ER10c_zCu-UL8wJhqWpBR7p4ayZqFxeHerDSs161BbvZqyaVizd9e4_hhHyKTJD2fqz3Q5HloA/s320/alpaca+festival+2011+4.jpg" border="0" /></a>How can you not love these faces?<br /><br />Did I come home with anything? Well, unfortunately not an alpaca. But some yummy pale blue alpaca and mohair blend yarn. And the <a href="http://blueheronyarns.com/pages/yarncare.php">Blue Heron Company </a>was there and, although it wasn't alpaca, I came home with some Rayon Metallic in a gorgeous greeny-bluey-grey with silver sparkles. Yum.<br /><br />Then we grabbed a quick lunch in Sykesville and went to visit with my aunt and uncle who live near there and who I do not see as often as I would like. My uncle had just gotten a Kindle Fire and we spent most of the visit "helping" him figure it out. I'm afraid we didn't help as much as we confused. Unfortunately, they don't get a very strong wi-fi signal in their house, so downloading books is not as simple as it should be. Cool device though!Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-74782527003529977922011-11-20T12:37:00.002-05:002011-11-20T12:58:04.459-05:00Wish List ReduxI was thinking this morning about an email conversation I had with someone recently about Wish Lists and wondering if it would actually be possible to make my Wish List on Amazon private....let people fend for themselves. And then I checked my email just now and found some spam comments. And what post were they on? <a href="http://twopointysticks.blogspot.com/2010/12/meditations-on-wish-list.html">This one from about a year ago.</a> Apparently my feelings haven't changed a lot.<br /><br />So perhaps I should, to both satisfy my delight with surprises and yet still help people out, make a general wish list:<br /><br />I love sweaters, sweatshirts and fleecey tops. Think jewel tones, particularly red. Sweatshirts can be funny...as long as they really are funny and not just obnoxious.<br /><br />I like pretty glass. Either a lovely wine glass...a pretty paperweight...a glass animal.<br /><br />I love earrings...preferably funky, dangly, ones. They can make noise, they can be made from origami...any and all earrings. I even like simple elegant studs, though I already have some lovely cream pearls.<br /><br />I also like necklaces. And bracelets that aren't solid dangles. (I've never found them comfortable to wear.)<br /><br />I'm not so big on kitchenware, though cute kitchenware is a possibility. (For an example, I've seen measuring cups designed to look like matruska dolls.)<br /><br />I like perfume...something green or citrus-y. There's a website called something like I Hate Perfume and the perfume designer there creates incredible sounding scents...Newly Fallen Snow, In the Library, Russian Caravan...<br /><br />I love crazy or pretty or very soft socks...though I also love knitting socks.<br /><br />I like art...a pretty print. Wouldn't have to be framed...I like choosing the frame and mats. And we really don't have anyplace to hang stuff. So perhaps that's not a good idea.<br /><br />And really...the older I get, the happier I am to find out that a donation has been made in my name to some worthy cause...the Baltimore Humane Society, for example.<br /><br />So? What do <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>want for the holidays?Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-24181202149794962132011-11-17T19:47:00.002-05:002011-11-17T20:03:37.096-05:00Cats Lost and Found and Lost<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HhZMd4GxobuGt_FfdCpMAY6aOvO3e4Xq6Stsz-dbKJnBbjQj308_DqNifLPewmIVM361cEaroacV9MNzRDpgzSkFAVJJyI-0E4TFVThBX_ErVoUG774vLM-7zgZ3Ijt_l105CqUAdTk/s1600/soulful+sophie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HhZMd4GxobuGt_FfdCpMAY6aOvO3e4Xq6Stsz-dbKJnBbjQj308_DqNifLPewmIVM361cEaroacV9MNzRDpgzSkFAVJJyI-0E4TFVThBX_ErVoUG774vLM-7zgZ3Ijt_l105CqUAdTk/s320/soulful+sophie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676131838701222482" border="0" /></a><br />A few weeks ago Sophie, one of the cats my daughter and her sweetie own (well, she's really Andrew's but I think of them as sharing their cats) got out of the house and disappeared. They could hear her calling but couldn't find her. And then, after a day or so, they didn't hear her anymore. Then they were hit by a snowstorm and had to leave town for a few days. And when they came back...still no Sophie. <br /><br />But Tuesday morning I got an ecstatic email from Rachel! Sophie had been found, in a garage down the street. She was skinny and had some ticks and a bite on her tail but after a quick trip to the vet and a rabies booster she was declared healthy. She's eating like a horse, apparently, and obviously happy to be home. <br /><br />But in sadder news...on October 31st we took Gizmo for a final visit to the vet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_zQVJWEYHiur-lAbR20O4aIWOoxjHNp-kfOa_VZXsm44MH9OOvoOjUYbbOjpjJ7f1gtu2UzJ7yFWFLRcMdhIOKmXU2QyVetUYdFi-rUj7zrVTjWHXXjnUC60uRaPqAdL5FtbnRYqChw/s1600/gizmo+helping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_zQVJWEYHiur-lAbR20O4aIWOoxjHNp-kfOa_VZXsm44MH9OOvoOjUYbbOjpjJ7f1gtu2UzJ7yFWFLRcMdhIOKmXU2QyVetUYdFi-rUj7zrVTjWHXXjnUC60uRaPqAdL5FtbnRYqChw/s320/gizmo+helping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676131848942939362" border="0" /></a><br />He almost made it to 18 years old, my sweet boy. But he had basically stopped eating and then drinking...we couldn't see him suffer anymore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjfrM_r47FcMNXRU0DykP_PhblZYN9k0kdtmHMZvyhZla70kOlz2fXYBajGIONj-vyECc4_od8Sc8dJXSrxL8nNykuvR1LeIWhiB3x6Q_kRyTHsDUUo6C7pFO2cjJt1CusyORcy8zTWs/s1600/giz+kneading.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjfrM_r47FcMNXRU0DykP_PhblZYN9k0kdtmHMZvyhZla70kOlz2fXYBajGIONj-vyECc4_od8Sc8dJXSrxL8nNykuvR1LeIWhiB3x6Q_kRyTHsDUUo6C7pFO2cjJt1CusyORcy8zTWs/s320/giz+kneading.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676131856608595970" border="0" /></a><br />Sweet dreams, little grey guy.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-21551118355262720512011-11-14T13:46:00.002-05:002011-11-14T13:49:11.239-05:00It Takes All KindsSo, I spent last Friday up at the Black Sheep (what better way to remember our fallen heroes and those who serve to protect us). It was an interesting day. But there was one funny exchange – though perhaps only funny to people who work (or hang out) in yarn shops.<br /><br />I was in the back room, winding a horribly tangled skein of yarn by hand (the ball winder was acting up and Tracy was just going to snip all the pieces but I wanted to save the yarn). I heard the door open and then a woman say (in the tone of voice one might use if looking at a basket of kittens), “Oh look! A knitting club!”<br /><br />And then the following conversation took place:<br /><br />“We were just next door? In the consignment shop? Are there other consignment shops along here? Are these [obviously indicating some of the shop samples that adorn the walls of the shop] for sale?”<br /><br />“No, these aren’t for sale…” says Tracy.<br /><br />“What kind of shop <em>is</em> this??”<br /><br />“This is a yarn shop. We do sell the yarn to make these items and we have classes….”<br /><br />“Are they free?”<br /><br />“No, we charge for the classes…”<br /><br />“Are there other consignment shops along here?”<br /><br />Tracy allowed as how she wasn’t familiar with consignment shops.<br /><br />And they turned to Renee and said, “<em>You</em> look like you shop at consignment shops! Do you know where any are?!” <br /><br />How rude. But funny. We also had an interesting woman stop in and got her to sit and chat with us for a while. She works in Forensics for the Baltimore City Police. Very interesting.Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2729244346034761019.post-62113745327546798022011-10-28T18:22:00.004-04:002011-10-28T19:36:41.549-04:00Shakespeare Had It Right<a title="Click for further information about this quotation" href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/40898.html">The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.</a> -- <i>All's Well that Ends Well, Act IV, sc. 3<br /><br /></i>Well, except for the "ill" part. Though my opinion about that may change when I get my credit card bill. My sister-in-law and I had a grand time at Webs. It was her first visit and I must say, I think she was suitably impressed. We had a good time shoving yarn at each other and saying things like "Look at this color!" "Feel this one!" and the ever-popular "Ooooh....." <br /><br />And what did I bring home?<br /><br />From Grandpa's Garage Sale section of the warehouse (where the absolutely cheapest stuff is), 10 skeins of this Louisa Harding Grace in Silk and Wool. Such a pretty color.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ni5TiiHMxG8wWDrV_Z8CYNb-5LlOu9WnA8VZUkwqlSivTmHDUjDYgdk_QuM9ANi06qmYs1djbWVIcfH074BlrjxsbXqkTLus2qKqeid6IWEfsWh5v3DSLwSLSjyMRrba46Ux7E8525o/s1600/louisa+harding+silk+and+wool.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ni5TiiHMxG8wWDrV_Z8CYNb-5LlOu9WnA8VZUkwqlSivTmHDUjDYgdk_QuM9ANi06qmYs1djbWVIcfH074BlrjxsbXqkTLus2qKqeid6IWEfsWh5v3DSLwSLSjyMRrba46Ux7E8525o/s320/louisa+harding+silk+and+wool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673361322069906" border="0" /></a>From the warehouse proper:<br /><br />This pretty blue Noro Shirakaba. Also 10 skeins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_2DO3gnE5JKP7N4lqUI3iVyxpSkXlgmwZo6T-1Es16k8kj43oK7moqCDphQw_085LuNzwI5rpiXToFu4YsZQ5LkPE9dSG_hiZaaVnzTQFF8Q-4_c4W1ctozgxohyphenhyphenlsEQzbG1suQiZQY/s1600/noro+shirakaba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_2DO3gnE5JKP7N4lqUI3iVyxpSkXlgmwZo6T-1Es16k8kj43oK7moqCDphQw_085LuNzwI5rpiXToFu4YsZQ5LkPE9dSG_hiZaaVnzTQFF8Q-4_c4W1ctozgxohyphenhyphenlsEQzbG1suQiZQY/s320/noro+shirakaba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673354618064994" border="0" /></a><br />There were some lovely colors of this yarn. An intense deep bright pink. A gorgeous cobalt (but only 2 skeins of that one). A subtle and sea-like gray-green. But I thought this denim blue one would be the color I would get the most use out of as a shawl (at least, at the moment I'm thinking shawl).<br /><br />Another Noro...this one is Aya. Again, 10 skeins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3TvJLdiDq16BTY5aTuYL30kQALIGyuWaHaAN28qFwZgNaM6RlhxOptI7NB31XitLkmuyMgamF1ak_s29ay0BzcfpKwr-rYKLCO16iMVQTCGXIbfPyy58-S6gufPWb-X_3Fo6ixpv6WI/s1600/noro+aya+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3TvJLdiDq16BTY5aTuYL30kQALIGyuWaHaAN28qFwZgNaM6RlhxOptI7NB31XitLkmuyMgamF1ak_s29ay0BzcfpKwr-rYKLCO16iMVQTCGXIbfPyy58-S6gufPWb-X_3Fo6ixpv6WI/s320/noro+aya+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673767089002178" border="0" /></a><br />I mean, look at these colors!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmixGW_uFyDTCLz5wtigJmCS33eqRtknCX86Q4DMr0SNQnOy4CPkHXDxnlpVU3PT_NinH8vTUqV0FsS-jQWgTnTXI3Jk2lCMB6XecM64K4jnemxClekc_KOXY6FLlIq4qMJQ4vrlRFosA/s1600/noro+aya+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmixGW_uFyDTCLz5wtigJmCS33eqRtknCX86Q4DMr0SNQnOy4CPkHXDxnlpVU3PT_NinH8vTUqV0FsS-jQWgTnTXI3Jk2lCMB6XecM64K4jnemxClekc_KOXY6FLlIq4qMJQ4vrlRFosA/s320/noro+aya+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673768215430434" border="0" /></a>Yummy!<br /><br />And 12 skeins of some Jojoland Rhythm, probably for another shawl (at the moment I'm thinking entrelac stole sort of thing).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNFiaAxt2gEMDHpFC7P4tSUF3b7IPpMJkNrYpeDMd-STWwT0Y2GhEj2hoAfhQCtcGJDbsM5x_Phk78a1TVLIewIhBkiNfyf8ESAspao6v0OsYbE7MYEWIxQ2FHOKixYpqxi-sF5qvyXQ/s1600/jojoland+rhythm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNFiaAxt2gEMDHpFC7P4tSUF3b7IPpMJkNrYpeDMd-STWwT0Y2GhEj2hoAfhQCtcGJDbsM5x_Phk78a1TVLIewIhBkiNfyf8ESAspao6v0OsYbE7MYEWIxQ2FHOKixYpqxi-sF5qvyXQ/s320/jojoland+rhythm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673784274304690" border="0" /></a>They had this in a number of different color combos. Including two variations (one brighter than the other) of combos of blues and yellows. But yellow can be a tough color to wear, so I went with the blue and tan/brown combo.<br /><br />And then, from the full price part of the shop, this skein of Kangaroo Dyer's sock yarn in the Gerbera colorway.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s2TQh-mz3k0Dk3W_ggzoT32aYtd_YSCgDwrx4G4dPKBSqieXWmcZ6pijyQ1Y8Nu6lBdjX4wDQf1M9HA4GkXZeAXipQAboOG5xc3WdfmiuHJZJTlDCPJMsp080nHRe7nMrul21ZHhy78/s1600/kangaroo+dyer+gerbera.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s2TQh-mz3k0Dk3W_ggzoT32aYtd_YSCgDwrx4G4dPKBSqieXWmcZ6pijyQ1Y8Nu6lBdjX4wDQf1M9HA4GkXZeAXipQAboOG5xc3WdfmiuHJZJTlDCPJMsp080nHRe7nMrul21ZHhy78/s320/kangaroo+dyer+gerbera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673368989166354" border="0" /></a>Love those bright colors.<br /><br />I also picked up one circular needle from their new line of Dreamz needles. Just for fun. And a Stephen West pattern, Spectra.<br /><br />Ah...such fun.<br /><br /><br /><i><br /></i>Rooiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14855810263415029931noreply@blogger.com0