What to do? So many choices!
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Hall and Oates "Kiss On My List"
Topic: A bit of everything
And no fiber content what so ever.

With my brother and fam being up here for the weekend, there are lots of choices to pick for things to do.

DH wants to go up to Greenfield to the Western MA Highland Games, which we keep talking about seeing but never manage to see.

Mom wants me to take SIL over to the Old Deerfield Craft Fair, which would be my choice. I love this fair, even though it costs $6 per person to get in (not including the $5 we pay for parking in the front yard of my kindergarten/first/second grade teacher (how cool is that??).

And tomorrow, DH is making noises about going up to Portsmouth, NH to this:

Portsmouth NH - Thunderama "2005" Thunderbird show at the Strawberry Banke Museum. Show Sponsored New England's Vintage Thunderbird Club. clubs.hemmings.com/nevt/

Now, I'll bet you didn't know that we own an antique Thunderbird. DH used to own a Pontiac Lemans, but sold it shortly after DS#1 was born, because he hadn't worked on it in about 6 years and figured he'd never have the time. After attending a few car shows, he got the itch again to restore a car. So while surfing eBay, he found us a 1969 Thunderbird. It looked exactly like the Thunderbird my Uncle Al had (he was my favorite uncle and died way too young at the age of 54, when I was only 7 years old; I miss him still). The only difference is that this car has a black interior (instead of red) and has a vinyl top. DH bid on it, and we won the auction. He flew out to Lincoln, NE., and drove it home. This was in 2002. The car sits in our garage, waiting until we can find a place that will do proper restoration work on it But we've got the fever, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can drive this land ship around town, which is exactly what I plan to do. I love driving that car!

We'll see what happens. And I'm still looking for my Creatures of the Reef pattern. I may just have to break down and buy another.

When does it end?
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: Smmy Johns "Chevy Van"
Topic: Whine
And I'll have some cheese with this whine too. ;-)

I finished the lawn mowing. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend for my husband and I, but my brother, his wife and kids are coming up from NJ to visit my parents. Not that I mind seeing them, I'm looking forward to it. But it's just that I'm expected to do all kinds of things, including various trips around. And figure out when my kids can play with their kids and where.

I guess I'll have to postpone that relaxing weekend until after the 4th.

On another note; I've been busy checking out more potential inventory for the fall fiber fairs. I think people will be excited when they see what I'll have at Rhinebeck. :)

Look at what the mail brought me!
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Daniel Boone "Beautiful Sunday"
Topic: Secret Pal 5

And it smells so good!

Thank you to my Secret Pal! My youngest son insisted that he hold the Rosemary Lemon soap all the way home from the Post Office! The other soap is Fig Milk and that smells wonderful too. :)

Anyone who knows me knows that I love scented soaps. My SP has done well. :-D Thank you again!

Nothing smaller?
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: A Flock of Seagulls "I Ran"
Topic: Fiber
I'm in an 80's kind of mood today. With Wednesday being my birthyday, and yesterday being the birthday of a friend of mine from high school, I've been going down memory lane. But it's a fun trip. :)

Anyway, I was at Webs yesterday to check out Jaggerspun Zephyr. They do stock it, in lots of colors. The only problem is that they sell it at a 1/2 pound minimum, unless I wanted to wind off a ball or two. Unfortunately, I only need 1260 yards and that yarn has over 5000 yards per pound (5040 I think). So I'd be buying an extra shawls worth at 1/2 pound. And winding off 1260 yards just isn't my thing. So I might head over to Textura Trading in Easthampton, where I have an account, and buy it there. I think I can get smaller cones of it from TT, and check out the angelina fibers that I need to stock up on.

So much to talk about!
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: The Beach Boys "All Summer Long"
Topic: A bit of everything
I had a great birthday yesterday! My friend Carolyn of Pink Peppercorns biked all the way over here and we had lunch together. She brought me some of her wonderful soap (which I'll have to hide from DH as he loves her handmade soap!), as a present, but her presence here was present enough. :)

My mom also took us out to dinner at Applebee's last night. It wasn't the marinated flank steaks I had planned to grill, but the steaks looked really pathetic at Stop & Shop, so I didn't buy them. Mom's idea of dinner out was a better idea than anything I could think of to cook, so we got steaks there instead. And the boys were happy because they got to pick their food out from the kids menu, and not suffer through something at home that they didn't like to eat. *grin*

Thank you to everyone that sent birthday wishes. They really made me smile! :)

The Contest

Dharia posted her entries into the contest yesterday. You can see her ideas on the comments section of yesterday's blog post.

Keep them coming! We have a lot to choose from! :)

And now for knitting

Knitting? Yes, I'm trying to locate my Creatures of the Reef shawl pattern that I purchased several years ago.

Lord knows where it is, but I'm determined to find it. I've seen completed shawls on other people's blogs. I desperately wanted to knit this a while ago, but picked a yarn which was hell to knit with and I ripped it out. So this time, I'll head over to Webs and pick up something more suitable.
I am resisting Birch. If I decide to make it, I'll use the Kiri pattern instead. It's the price of the yarn that is hindering this for me. And I'm not completely sure I want to knit with mohair in the heat of the summer, especially since I don't have A/C in my house.

And on a completely different front, my cousin Angela called me yesterday. She's been able to get me two passes to the "Meet and Greet" for Def Leppard when they are preforming in Brockton on July 6th. How cool is that? I've been a fan of their music since 1983, and Ang knows people in high places in the music world. I'm completely psyched about this! They have teamed up with Bryan Adams to play a "Double Header" at 26 minor league baseball parks across America. I'm a huge Bryan Adams fan too, so this will be incredible! I can't wait!

It's the first day of summer vacation for my boys but...
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Bobby Darin "Beyond the Sea"
Topic: A bit of everything

It's also my BIRTHDAY!!!! :)

I love celebrating my birthday. I've long ago given up unrealistic ideas of what the day will turn out to be like, but instead, use the philosophy of taking it easy and just enjoying what comes. However, there will be steaks and drinks here later tonight, just the family and my mom (since I'm the one that will be cooking). And my mom and brother were nice enough to take me out to dinner at Chez Albert on Saturday night, a new French restaurant that opened up about a month ago. The food was fantastic and I'm hoping to go back there soon!

The Contest

Marie sent her in ideas for several colorways, which is posted in the comments section of yesterday's blog entry. Please check them out! :)

I have some work to do this morning, but plan on taking the rest of the day off and just relaxing. The pool has been up for almost a month, and I've yet to get in. I think it's about time!

The Entries So Far.....
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Jon Secada "If You Go"
Topic: Contest
The Contest:

Helen sent in several entries yesterday. You can find them posted in the comments section of the June 20th entry. Thanks Helen! Great job! :)

My secret pal from SP5 sent in this one:

"Ever been to Houston, TX? It's hot. It's humid. Most people can't figure out
why anyone would purposely choose to live there. The one bright spot to life
in that city are the beautiful sunsets. I've lived in many places in my
life, and I've never seen a sunset that can compare to those in Houston.
Why? It's the chemicals/pollution in the air from the chemical plants and oil
refineries in the area. Sadly, that's the reason you hear for it. You have
to try to forget the fact that you're breathing all that in. Luckily, the
sunsets are pretty enough to take your breath away at times.

So, my idea for a colorway is the following:
Name: Chemical Sunset
Colors: Ranging from purple to pink to orange to yellow. There are also
blues (the sky, of course) and other colors in the mix sometimes. The purple
and pink are quite vibrant. The orange is a bit reddish but soft. The yellow
is pretty pale and soft as well."


Keep them coming; so far you all are doing great! :)

A new list:

O.k, so I hadn't heard of this one yet, but over 600 other people had. It's called Summer of Lace. Could this be the push I've needed to try and conquer my fear of lace? Actually, it isn't really a fear, but as I described in my intro to them, it is a lack of solitude knitting time that allows me to concentrate which ends with me having too many stitches left at the end of a row. ;-)

Tonight is it off to a meeting. We are winding down to the parade, and I'm really looking forward to it!

THE CONTEST
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Contest

Dharia asked:

"i need clarification... what exactly do you want us to send you? images as swatches? dyed fiber? just a description? i'm perplexed. but i've got some ideas already to go! "

This can be done two ways; either send a very good description, or images as swatches down with markers, colored pencil, craypas, etc.

The important thing is that you are as descriptive as possible, so that I can get the colors as close to what you described as possible.

Ready, set, go!

And don't forget
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Contest
The CONTEST!

SP5
Mood:  lucky
Now Playing: John Fogerty "Centerfield"
Topic: Secret Pal 5
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I prefer natural fibers, but like the fake fur yarns too. I do avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand, but mostly because I spin the majority of my own yarn.


2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I do spin. I'm crochet impaired. ;-)


3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Not fond of cigarette smoke, but no allergies that I know of.


4. How long have you been knitting?

I learned how to knit as a small child, but never really got it right. I took lessons at Webs in 1997 and I've been knitting since.


5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, but I'll have to update it.


6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Light florals or beachy scents.


7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Oh yes! I love chocolate!


8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

My husband and I do woodworking, making Bobbin Trees and Bobbin Logs. And I raise German Angoras. :)


9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like all kinds, but am really partial to 80's and 90's music. But I also listen to Big Bands music, Philadelphia sounds of the 70's, Nat King Cole, and some classics like Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven. No MP3, but CD's are good.


10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like blues, pinks, yellows. I'm not fond of olive or mustard tones or muddy colors.


11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have two small sons, and a husband, We have three cats; Smitty and Smoosh who are sisters and almost 9 years old, and Trina, who is 2 years old (she is really my oldest son's cat).


12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

I'd love to own a house by the ocean. I have a dream of having a house at the Cape Cod National Seashore, which overlooks the ocean and has a nice studio at one end. Or I'd also take a house on Nantucket or the south Jersey shore.

Other than that, my dreams are rather simple; happiness for my children, myself, husband and family.


13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Noro, Brown Sheep Lambs Pride, and Prism yarns.


14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

With the exception of Red Heart, not much.


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Shawls of my own design.


16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Shawls! I'm also partial to sweaters, when I can complete them.


17. What are you knitting right now?

I'm slowly working on a shawl of my own design made from 85% angora, 15% merino yarn from the yarn co-op I participated in with IAGARB. I've been so busy since April that I haven't had much time to knit. Every weekend has been full of things to do, either shows or other commitments, and after July 4th, I'll have the weekends to myself again until September. Can you tell I'm really looking forward to July 5th?


18. What do you think about ponchos?

For some people, they look great. But I'm not sure they would look good on me.


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circulars, definitely!


20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Wood, aluminum.


21. Are you a sock knitter?

I have knit socks, but not in a long time. I like to knit socks using yarn that allows me to use a #5 12" circular needle. I wish I could get my hands on some Lorna's Laces yarn, but no store around here carries it.


22. How did you learn to knit?

An elderly cousin of mine learned of my desire to knit, and she showed me how. But because I was a lefty knitter, she had a hard time showing me because I did everything backwards.


23. How old is your oldest UFO?

A top I started in knitting class at Webs in 1997. It will never be finished as it was a simple vest pattern taken off of the internet and I realized it wasn't much of a pattern, so I switched to something else.


24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

A rabbit of course!


25. What is your favorite holiday?

Ooooh, that is a hard one. I love July 4th, celebrating our country's independence (I'm a colonial history buff), but I also like Thanksgiving and having my family around, and Christmas because I love watching my kids and family open up their presents.


26. Is there anything that you collect?

Besides spinning wheels? (grin) I collect coffee mugs from different places that have lighthouses on them. I also collect cookbooks that specialize in regional cooking (New England or Mid Atlantic/Penn Dutch).


27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

No knitting magazine subscriptions. I only subscribe to Wild Fibers and Spin-Off.


28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

"A Good Yarn" by Debbie Macomber, "Dance with Me" by Luanne Rice, "The Summer I Dared" by Barbara Delinsky, and "Nantucket: The Quiet Season" by Nathaniel Philbrick.