Deb on the Web

My poor little daddy

I will only show one of these painful photos.  He can't list his arm to see what's going on so we took some pics today and also took off the bandages to see how he was healing.  He is healing well, but ow!!  There are a few cracked ribs to add to that broken arm.
I've taken the rest of the week off to help take care of dad.  This morning I started this project for napping.  I have wanted to knit this ever since Knitting Daily offered it.  Sarah's Yarn offers this Jagger Maine line kit which makes it very affordable.  I hadn't worked with Jagger spun before.  I really am enjoying it.
I'm also enjoying spending time with my dad and being able to help him as he has helped me way to many times in my life:)

Back to town

It was hard to crawl out of all the snow this morning and head back down into reality.  I had figured on a little snow this weekend, but when I woke up Sunday morning I felt like I was inside a cotton ball.  Here are a few shots of the weekend   Okay, I'm getting cold!  Let's look at socks--I finished my Duet XXL "Thanksgiving" socks this weekend.  Now these are not the kneehighs I intended As I worked up the leg I realized what I really wanted was a pair of socks for my hiking boots.  So I stopped mid calf.  I also am thinking I might have enough left for footies with the coordinating toe and heel!  The beginning of a Happy V-day This is sock #1 of more Duet yarn.  "Cupid" in her middy line.  Love it!  almost finished with the foot of #2 (toe up).  And I got a little start on this yarn More read goodness for Valentine's day!  This is the January selection from RCS that I mentioned the other day.  This is not a terrific photo of it, but I wanted to wait until most people received their packages before showing something.  Hopefully, I'll be showing an actual sock soon;)
Oh and the dad has arrived!!  After 6 hours of phone calls over two days my very, very dear friend's husband picked my dad up from the hospital, filled his prescriptions and put him on a plane to Portland!  You really know who your friends are at a time like this:)  He is staying with my sis, but I spent a few hours today and will be until he is well enough to be on his own.  I told him by the end I felt like I was planning a prison break--I've been watching way too much Alias on the weekends.

Here in my weird world

I am surrounded by broken bones.  About a week before the husband broke his wrist our godson broke the same one.  A week later it was Marc.  Last week an employee broke his ankle (also snow boarding).  And now my dad has slipped on the ice outside his house and broken his arm (he's still in the hospital).  Don't get too close to me...

On a note of -yarn- what else the first installment of the Rockin Sock Club for 2008 arrived today.  I am not going to post any spoilers until next week.  I am hoping to post the first sock at that point.  It is my goal to show two finished pairs and two singles.  We'll see how the weekend really plays out;)
But I do have to say this is a great way to start off this next year.  The colorway is totally different than anything last year, the pattern is fun and I love the buttons!
I only joined one sock club this year and Woolgirl's Seven Deadly Spins which will be a variety of projects.  Other than that and some special purchases I am all about stash usage.  I love the yarn I own, but it's time to see it on some bodies and out of the bins!!

One photo...3 stories

A few recent purchases At the top--a funny story.  This is the last installment of Middleearthknitter's lace club.  A club that ended months ago.  I was just thinking about it the other day.  I couldn't remember what the last yarn looked like.  I was really thinking that I have way too much yarn if I can't pin down what a yarn looks like.  Low and behold, I never received it.  The lovely yarn "the shire" arrived in today's mail.  Cairi found it behind a cupboard:)  I love it and I wouldn't have had time to knit it up yet anyway.  So no worries!
In the middle we have Miss Babs-Yummy superwash- "wine barrel".  I have been wanting thicker socks (and quick knits) with this cold weather right now.  I made a purchase of this and the bottom yarn Dream in Color-Smooshy-"cool fire" from Woolgirl.  I love shopping with Jenn!  She always puts in a few extra goodies and the packages are wrapped beautifully!  The Smooshy is designated for Cookie A's new pattern Mingus.  The Yummy will be a basic toe up and probably the next project.
Well, I think I've done my enabling job for the day 

...dusts off hands and walks off into the sunset...

Mission Possible

Okay, here is my list for Mission Possible 08:

1. Knit second Lenore sock
2. Knit second Flower Power sock
3. Get sock yarn stash below 100 (ahem… I think I’ll have to knit or give away at least 10 skeins this year)
4. Finish knitting husband’s aran sweater (half body is finished, sleeves not yet designed)
5. Finish knitting Debbie Bliss silk shrug (back is finished)
6. Finish knitting MS3 (on second to last clue)
7. Choose a pattern and knit another lace item to bring down the stash a notch
8. Keep up with 2008 RSC projects
9. Finish spinning current Yarn Wench fiber on wheel
10. Keep up with Spunky spinning club fiber
11. Choose a random skein from the “old bin” stash and knit something from current pattern collection
12. Knit knee highs from yarn I dyed in a class last year.

This should be manageable.  I'm not saying this all I'll be doing this year or that I'll be going in any order.  But I'm excited to knit or spin all of these projects.

Well looky here

We actually have some photos.  I should insert these into the past posts that were lacking them, but why not just have a fun photo post instead.
First, I do have to say that the husband had his surgery yesterday and it was a great success.  The Emergency room doctor did such a great job of setting his arm the surgeon was able to move the bones into place and pin them without any incisions.  He should also have a much shorter recuperation time.  I couldn't help but take this photo on our return from the hospital that first night You can tell he was thrilled I needed to document the moment.  Here are some snow pics from that night and a few others this last week Can you see how big some of those flakes are?  Here are my Spruce Sprigs socks If you scroll back a couple of posts you'll find the details about these pretties.  The recipient has declared them very wearable and warm!
Here is the current project While I love the squishiness of duet yarns this is not a project I am loving.  The self striping in the feet is turning to pooling in the legs.  I would prefer it to be the other way around.  I may just finish these at the standard length.  However, I am now in love with the knee high idea and need to do a little stash diving for the next sock project.
In the single sock area here is Lenore This and another of the RSC projects need pairs.  My February sock projects.
On the already a joiner in '08 subject Jane found this on Ravelry and has copied the description here.  This is the perfect KAL for my 2008 resolutions!  And we'll be putting ole Lenore as #1.

Still no photos

Well I'm really starting the year off in a boring fashion. The sad thing is that I am surrounded by beauty today. It is sunny and 35 degrees. Still a little snow on the ground and we are cozy inside.

I've been crafty in the collage zone with a project I couldn't find the inspriation for until today. I started this as a source of inspiration for others several months ago and now I am finally getting back to it. Now I know you'd like to see some evidence and you will! Soon I say, soon. These spindles are going to a local shop this week. Hopefully they won't throw me out for having them so long. Really I will have something to show you:)

In the food area I have a question. We got a Turbot filet last night and decided to pan fry it. It completely fell apart in the pan. It tasted fresh, but seemed to liquify. I've never cooked this fish. Can anyone give me some imput?

As you can see I'm not participating in Project 365. I did think about it, but it seemed silly to give myself boundaries with something that I both will not be near every day this year and I like the flow of creativity that sometimes comes from me since I have never given myself rules about posting. One thing I did notice at the end of 2007 was that my photos of projects were not complete for last year. I forgot that this was the main reason I did start this blog. So I guess I have a second resolution for the year--documenting all projects.
Part of this I'd like to carry over to the garden project.

Okay, this next week will include some husband surgery (now that could be helpful;) ). Hopefully the pain will only get better (for both of us). I feel so bad for him, but man can I see his controlling side. He actually decided he was going to drive his stick shift today. Whatever!

In the knitting area, I am still on the sock obsession in 2008. I'm knitting away on the Duet XXL kneehighs. I decided to knit each foot seperately and then put them both on two circulars (a size up) and knit the legs together to make sure if I start to run out of yarn I have them the same length. As I am typing this I am realizing that I have one ball of yarn. DUH! I guess I'll be doing some rewinding before I get to the legs.
I am ready to get back to Mar'c Aran and finish up the MS3 from last year. I really want to start a new shawl but I feel like that has to be done first.

I love the new beginning feeling of January. I always get in this finish things up mode. I just wish I felt that way come February 1. By then I am ready for something new.

What a week!

Craziness all week at home and work, but I've kept good humor through all. Hey, what else are ya gonna do?
Commuting from the mountain hasn't been bad. I can now tell you anything you'd like to know about the candidates and polling practices in New Hampshire;)
In the evenings, as there is no yoga at present, we are addicted to the show Alias. It's great when you are late to the party. We are still watching season 1. I have no idea how many seasons there even are of this show. it's great for knitting! I've finished the first pair of socks for 2008 (and no this isn't my computer so no photos). Spruce Sprigs--Woolgirl's December sockclub selection. The yarn is a wool/mohair blend from the Unique Sheep. I'll definitely knit with this again. It was a dream!
I now have another pair of socks going--Lucky Lurker's November sockclub offering. These are fun! Knee highs in a falling leaves pattern. I'm not overjoyed with the colorway, but these are going to feel so great and squishy I just can't wait until they are done. I'm hoping to get some more of Angela's XXL in a Valentine colorway.
The garden ideas just keep on coming! I've figured out my basic kitchen garden which will be planted outside my kitchen window. This will be a very traditional come and cut again European idea. Mainly salad and braising greens with lots of herb plants in the ground and in pots (lemon verbena and varieties of scented geraniums). I've now been plotting to take over the main garden bed. However, I have to pull myself back as I don't know where I'll be come June. Not saying more than that right now...
In the spinning area--I have a project on the wheel that needs to get finished very soon. That will be the main weekend plan. That and working for the husband. My job is on hold for a few days as it is easiest for me to be his replacemendt. I'm looking forward to working over at Gino's tonight. I enjoyed having a break for a few years, but I do think that restaurant suits me better.

This post would be so much more exciting with photos! I'll try to get some loaded very soon.

Not the weekend I expected

We headed to mt house for a very relaxing post holiday weekend. For me it was to finish a couple of projects. For the husband it was all about snow boarding with friends. I headed up after work Friday. I was so impressed with with everyone driving so well. By the time DH headed up the hill he was slowed by the investigation of a fatal crash that I had just missed. We spent Saturday relaxing together and headed to a local place we like to eat at. We were very sad to find out that the casualty of the crash had been a young lady that bartended at the restaurant. Both she and her baby had been killed. At this point DH informs me that the cars were so mangled (and one was the same color of my car) that he was racing home to make sure I was okay. We were very sad and a little shaken when we headed home Saturday. But wait...the weekend is not over yet. I get a call on Sunday afternoon of "just wanted to tell you I'm leaving the (snow park) parking lot and you're going to need to take me to the hospital". Yes, you can still break bones even when you wear a helmet. Happy to say it was a wrist and not the head. We spent the afternoon in emergency. I felt so bad when they not only had to break the arm further to make sure it set right, but they did it wrong the first time! They had a cast on and he was hoping for discharge, but they looked at photos and decided to take the cast off and rebreak. He broke about 12 bones and as soon as the swelling goes down they will have to put a plate and bar in the wrist.
As we drove back home in the sleet I have to say I was white knuckled driving past the accident site. We had house guests as all had planned to snow board on Monday. I was very happy they were there to greet us with a glass of wine at the door. I was extremely ready for it!
We sent the guests off for a fun day today and put the husband on the couch with a pile of movies.
On the good side, this has been an amazingly beautiful weekend of snow. I'm still up on the hill (not on my computer) I'll have some great photos to included. Especially the one with the dressing gown;)
Looking forward to going back to work so I can relax!

What's up in 2008

That's a loaded question for me these days.
Here is what I do know:
I'll be spending more time up at the mountains.  From this time forward we'll be calling this the Mt house (that's what the family designated it years ago anyway).  There has been talk of giving up the apartment, but with current gas prices I see no reason to create an hour commute to work that we don't have to.  I'm very excited to be getting back to gardening this year.  I have been collecting a pile of catalogs to peruse this weekend.  I am not going crazy, but I do have some favorite herbs I want to add to the family plot.  We have the basics (rosemary, sage, thyme, basil, chives, marjoram, nasturium, calendula, mint), but I also love burnet, beebalm, lovage, chervil, garlic chives, lemon verbena, lemon balm and anise.  As to veggies my mil doesn't mind if I barge in with a few things.  I see a need to get some year round greens going (chard, chicories, kale and lots of lettuces), brussel sprouts grew very well this year (but one plant didn't go far), potatoes, onions, peas, carrots too.  Any hot weather plants have to grow under some protection (this is the reason we have been pretty aloof about living up here before--however as we get older we have to accept we don't need to grow those 100 tomato plants any more) I would love to have DH build a hoop house for tomatoes, eggplant, peppers but we'll see.  Yes this does sound like a lot, but honestly you've never seen me garden.  I can fit a lot into a small space.  The bigger the space the farther a field I'll go!
Now we can talk about dye plants!  I am going to start an area of madder, safflower, woad and indigo up by the recently dug lake.  Yes you will be seeing a whole new batch of photos from me this year!  I haven't even got to my medicinals!!  A large tea project will be taking off and maybe this is the year I get my copper still to make floral waters and oils (probably too much for this year though).

As for knitting I really am going to finish a lot of projects started previously.  The main project is Marc's Aran.  It has been languishing for months.  Now that he has lost 35lbs! it won't need the fiddliness of adding at the belly.  I hope to have this done before the warm weather hits.  I feel bad as he would love to have it to wear home from snow boarding.  Other projects include the multitude of socks that either have been started or that came as sock club kits.  I actually had to go out and purchase some socks this week.  That is just wrong!  I also did not finish the Mystery Shawl 3.  I knew it would be put aside if I didn't finish along with the group.  I am going to buy myself a beautiful shawl pin as a reward for that FO, but not until it is blocked.  And speaking of blocking my first purchase of the year was a blocking kit.  I have wanted a blocking board for quite a while.  I'm thrilled to now have one that fits together in a way that works for each project you have. 

This is going to be a busy year!  Besides the above projects my father is moving to town.  I am hoping to free up my schedule some to be able to spend a bit more time with all of my family.
There are also travel plans.  More of that when tickets have actually been purchased.
For the husband--he's got jobs of fixing the hot water, finishing a kitchen and bath, doing some work on kitchen upgrade in the restaurant.  He's going to have a ton of fun in 08;)
Don't get me wrong he's going to be snowboarding as many days as the snow will allow and then he is already planning bike rides.  I love how he has changed his routine!

I have cleaned up several of last year's lists in the side bars.  I am ready to start this 2008 year!  And have new lists of books, KALs and a whole new photo album to fill!